Before I start, I'm going to confess that I'm right now, at this very moment, listening to some song my daughter downloaded onto itunes by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. Oh my God! I kind of like it! It's called "Ready, Set, Don't Go."
Which is just fine, because this morning's final 20 miler was kind of like the Boot Scoot Boogie. I felt pretty good going out. I went to the bike trail because the bathrooms are finally open and the trail is sort of flat (though it does have a lot of camber). I made a goal for myself because I realized this week that that was what was missing from my runs. I was so worried about just doing what was on the paper that I forgot to make a goal for every run. So this morning my goal was to keep every mile under 11:00. For the first 16, with the inexplicable exception of Mile 9, I was successful.
10:38, 10:34, 10:18, 10:25, 10:30, 10:19, 10:30, 10:28, 11:13 (huh?), 10:27, 10:18, 10:18, 10:24, 10:59, 10:27, 10:50.
It felt easy to keep the pace and I was relaxed. Gels at miles 5, 10, and 15.
My goal for the final 4 miles was to keep it under 10:00. Mostly I was successful.
9:51, 9:53, 10:07, 9:47. I finished up feeling pretty good, but sore from the faster finish. Total running time 3:28:29. Avg. pace 10:25.
As a reward I drove to the Red Sun Farm for some fresh eggs and chickens.
It's a little strange to think that it's time to taper for a marathon that I'm not all that excited about running. Sure, I'm looking at it as a test of my ability, but I don't feel the anticipation that I did for my other marathons. I have to keep in mind that I'm leaving for Poland and Israel two days after the marathon for The March of the Living which I am very excited about.
This week I ran 44.8 miles (5 miles less than scheduled)
YTD: 548 (I totally ROCK)!
Showing posts with label Running/ Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running/ Goals. Show all posts
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Friday, November 9, 2007
Zero Week
Tea says it is time to change the music on my ipod. After all, the NYC Marathon is yesterday's news. I've basked in the glow of my 8 minute PR long enough.
She's right, of course, but the truth is, I can't seem to motivate myself to write anything down anymore. Since it's "zero week" I don't have any immediate goals. I'm going to run in the Thanksgiving Day Race this month (guess when it is) and I want to beat 55 minutes. Last year was a PW (personal worst) for that race at 1:02. But that was the beginning of my Natalie Gets Her Butt in Kick Ass Shape year. After that, the next big race I train for will be the More Half Marathon in Central Park. My goal is 2:00. That will be a biggie, because I tend to think of 2:00 as a breakthrough time for a half marathon. But that's not until April.
I won't be training for a spring marathon because I'll be chaperoning for March of the Living. I'm feeling a little wistful about The Flying Pig. It's the 10th anniversary and I still have some revenge to take on that one. Plus, you can't beat the hometown marathon!
But, in honor of Tea, and a training year that's almost come full-circle. I give you a new song.
She's right, of course, but the truth is, I can't seem to motivate myself to write anything down anymore. Since it's "zero week" I don't have any immediate goals. I'm going to run in the Thanksgiving Day Race this month (guess when it is) and I want to beat 55 minutes. Last year was a PW (personal worst) for that race at 1:02. But that was the beginning of my Natalie Gets Her Butt in Kick Ass Shape year. After that, the next big race I train for will be the More Half Marathon in Central Park. My goal is 2:00. That will be a biggie, because I tend to think of 2:00 as a breakthrough time for a half marathon. But that's not until April.
I won't be training for a spring marathon because I'll be chaperoning for March of the Living. I'm feeling a little wistful about The Flying Pig. It's the 10th anniversary and I still have some revenge to take on that one. Plus, you can't beat the hometown marathon!
But, in honor of Tea, and a training year that's almost come full-circle. I give you a new song.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
If I Can Make it There...
I'm supposed to run 4, but I'm not sure I'll get it in before I have to go downtown and get my hair cut/colored. And once that's done, I'm not going to ruin it by getting it sweaty or putting it in a ponytail! Oh, no! I have to get my money's worth out of a good visit to the salon! That means no running tomorrow either.
Things I'm worried about for Sunday:
1. My achilles. It's been an issue since the end of July. I really should rest it today anyway, but then I worry about taking four days entirely off before the marathon.
2. The crowded start on the Verrazano bridge. My number is really high based on my worst marathon finish. That means I'm supposed to line up at the back. I don't get why I can't line up according to my own projected finish, so I'm worried that I'll be 2-5 minutes behind right from the start.
3. Potty stops. My history is not good here.
Things I'm excited about:
1. My training. It's been excellent. I've gotten significantly faster this year and I've got the logs to prove it.
2. Running through NYC. What could be more exciting than that?
3. Proving to myself that I can keep the energy high for 4+ hours.
My Goals:
Ultimate: Anything less than 4:20
Trained for: 4:20
Acceptable: 4:30
Anything less than 4:39 will be a PR, but honestly, I was trained for better than 4:39 when I achieved it.
Things I'm worried about for Sunday:
1. My achilles. It's been an issue since the end of July. I really should rest it today anyway, but then I worry about taking four days entirely off before the marathon.
2. The crowded start on the Verrazano bridge. My number is really high based on my worst marathon finish. That means I'm supposed to line up at the back. I don't get why I can't line up according to my own projected finish, so I'm worried that I'll be 2-5 minutes behind right from the start.
3. Potty stops. My history is not good here.
Things I'm excited about:
1. My training. It's been excellent. I've gotten significantly faster this year and I've got the logs to prove it.
2. Running through NYC. What could be more exciting than that?
3. Proving to myself that I can keep the energy high for 4+ hours.
My Goals:
Ultimate: Anything less than 4:20
Trained for: 4:20
Acceptable: 4:30
Anything less than 4:39 will be a PR, but honestly, I was trained for better than 4:39 when I achieved it.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Revised Expectations
Ok, it's HOT. I mean, it's beyond hot. It's the hottest day of the year and the humidity and smog are unbearable. But I'm tough. Treadmill? Air conditioning? Bah! Just give me my running shoes and the great outdoors.
Things started off just peachy for my planned 6 miles. Sure it was hot, but I'm fine. I can tough it out. It's just mental, right? What's a little sweat in the eyes between friends?
I thought I'd make this one fast. Lots of 8s and 9s. I'm practicing for my upcoming races. First mile goes ok. I post a 9:04. Second mile 9:22. It's ok. Maybe it's a little too hot for 8s. I stop for a drink. Phew. It's hotter here on the concrete sidewalk than the asphalt street. Wonder why that is? Oh, well, onward! Mile 3, I can tell I'm slowing down: 10:09. I could just turn around here and make it a 4 and go home. But no! That's cheating! Mile 4, up a hill, a couple traffic lights... I'll just push the button and wait for the "Walk" signal. I better walk if it says "walk." 12:23. Mile 5 I managed 11:13. I have no idea how. Mile 6 begins with a stop at Subway. They have great cold water there. I'll just fill up my bottle. Can't I just stay here a while in the a/c? No, I must make it home. I'm so hot. What was that I just read about bonking -- it's just mental -- go faster -- ok, I'll go faster: 13:12. I can't believe I'm not home yet. I've miscalculated. I'll just run to the stop sign. Now I'll just run to the end of the service drive. Keep going and make it an even 6.5. Yes! Total time: 1:10:49.
I walk in the house a miserable, soaking, mess. I'm still sweating even though I've taken a shower.
I've got two races coming up. Scott C. asked me to post my goals yesterday. Given the weather, I think those goals require a little revision, or should I say, reality check?
Hyde Park Blast 4 miles: Previous Goal 35:00. New Goal: 38:00.
Conquer the Hill 10k: Previous Goal 54:00. New Goal: Under 60:00. Or, if it's like today, I'll skip the race altogether. I've done this one before. It runs through a neighborhood and residents provide the water at the water stops from their hoses. Nothing worse than warm hose water on a hot day.
Things started off just peachy for my planned 6 miles. Sure it was hot, but I'm fine. I can tough it out. It's just mental, right? What's a little sweat in the eyes between friends?
I thought I'd make this one fast. Lots of 8s and 9s. I'm practicing for my upcoming races. First mile goes ok. I post a 9:04. Second mile 9:22. It's ok. Maybe it's a little too hot for 8s. I stop for a drink. Phew. It's hotter here on the concrete sidewalk than the asphalt street. Wonder why that is? Oh, well, onward! Mile 3, I can tell I'm slowing down: 10:09. I could just turn around here and make it a 4 and go home. But no! That's cheating! Mile 4, up a hill, a couple traffic lights... I'll just push the button and wait for the "Walk" signal. I better walk if it says "walk." 12:23. Mile 5 I managed 11:13. I have no idea how. Mile 6 begins with a stop at Subway. They have great cold water there. I'll just fill up my bottle. Can't I just stay here a while in the a/c? No, I must make it home. I'm so hot. What was that I just read about bonking -- it's just mental -- go faster -- ok, I'll go faster: 13:12. I can't believe I'm not home yet. I've miscalculated. I'll just run to the stop sign. Now I'll just run to the end of the service drive. Keep going and make it an even 6.5. Yes! Total time: 1:10:49.
I walk in the house a miserable, soaking, mess. I'm still sweating even though I've taken a shower.
I've got two races coming up. Scott C. asked me to post my goals yesterday. Given the weather, I think those goals require a little revision, or should I say, reality check?
Hyde Park Blast 4 miles: Previous Goal 35:00. New Goal: 38:00.
Conquer the Hill 10k: Previous Goal 54:00. New Goal: Under 60:00. Or, if it's like today, I'll skip the race altogether. I've done this one before. It runs through a neighborhood and residents provide the water at the water stops from their hoses. Nothing worse than warm hose water on a hot day.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Who Needs to Think When Your Feet Just Go?
I have to confess that not a whole lot of thought went into the title for this entry. Oh, alot of thought went into thinking about a new title. I wanted something reflective of my new training goals. Some have been used by others (Believe) some more about what I wanted to find in myself (Fire). But on Wednesday, running some fast 5k mile repeats on the treadmill, "Genius of Love" by the Tom Tom Club qeued up on my ipod and you know how you don't always listen to the music that's playing? Well, I started to hear the rap "Who needs to think when your feet just go" and it was like a lightbulb. That's it! That's my title.
And, actually, thinking less is something I need to work on this cycle. I don't like to feel like I could have gone faster after I cross the finish line. That's not the time to have those thoughts. If I think I can go faster, I should just run faster. I need to stop analyzing my pace every mile that I'm racing, because inevitably it causes me to slow down. I'm plagued with thoughts of bonking. So, one of my goals is to think less and go for it.
My second internal goal is to believe in myself. I have the ability to keep improving, but for whatever reason I tend to put the brakes on. I set goals that are too conservative. Goals that I know I can make. I'm afraid to vocalize a "secret" goal, for fear that I won't make it. So, this cycle, I am going to express goals that are going to be challanging, and yes, even difficult to accomplish. Maybe I'll be successful, maybe not, but even if I'm not, what's the worst that can happen? My friends can't tell the difference between a 4:39 marathon and a 4:20 marathon anyway. Heck, they think I'm nuts for running a marathon in the first place!
I'm going to run a fall marathon. Most likely, it will be the Columbus Marathon on October 21. But in the unlikely event that I get into the New York City Marathon, then I'll run that on November 4. Certainly I won't run both! And then, there's still the possibility that Freddie won't even audition for the school musical which would open up the weekend of November 16-18 and I could run the Philly Marathon with Scott's cousin Jim (and Linda who I run the More with in March). So, the details are up in the air, but training will most likely start June 25.
Here are my time goals. No secrets.
Marathon: 4:20
Half-Marathon: 2:05
10k: < :54
4 miles < :35
5k: 25:xx
And, actually, thinking less is something I need to work on this cycle. I don't like to feel like I could have gone faster after I cross the finish line. That's not the time to have those thoughts. If I think I can go faster, I should just run faster. I need to stop analyzing my pace every mile that I'm racing, because inevitably it causes me to slow down. I'm plagued with thoughts of bonking. So, one of my goals is to think less and go for it.
My second internal goal is to believe in myself. I have the ability to keep improving, but for whatever reason I tend to put the brakes on. I set goals that are too conservative. Goals that I know I can make. I'm afraid to vocalize a "secret" goal, for fear that I won't make it. So, this cycle, I am going to express goals that are going to be challanging, and yes, even difficult to accomplish. Maybe I'll be successful, maybe not, but even if I'm not, what's the worst that can happen? My friends can't tell the difference between a 4:39 marathon and a 4:20 marathon anyway. Heck, they think I'm nuts for running a marathon in the first place!
I'm going to run a fall marathon. Most likely, it will be the Columbus Marathon on October 21. But in the unlikely event that I get into the New York City Marathon, then I'll run that on November 4. Certainly I won't run both! And then, there's still the possibility that Freddie won't even audition for the school musical which would open up the weekend of November 16-18 and I could run the Philly Marathon with Scott's cousin Jim (and Linda who I run the More with in March). So, the details are up in the air, but training will most likely start June 25.
Here are my time goals. No secrets.
Marathon: 4:20
Half-Marathon: 2:05
10k: < :54
4 miles < :35
5k: 25:xx
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