Laugh at the Rules

Yeah, Jon. We got soaked at the end!

I put up a race report, but I will share some details here too. 2:01:57. I wanted to get under 2 hours but this was probably a realistic effort. The Garmin was deceiving and when that happens I try to make sure the lap pace is lower than what I want, but I couldn't get it down! Looking at the results, I was pleased to be just a little slower than Darla today, who is my age and always beats me! Her time was actually slower than my last year's time....I was 8/21. I would've won the 50-54 group, damn it! But when I turn 50, all these fast ladies I know will too! GRRR.

Anyway, these are my splits: 9:34, 9:27, 9:18, 9:14, 9:21, 9:07, 9:12, 9:03, 9:00, 9:35, 9:20, 9:30, 9:19, :53.

The worst thing that can possibly happen, happened. My alarm didn't go off! Usually I would wake up, but I had been awake earlier and had trouble going back to sleep and I think I finally had gotten back into deep sleep. The blackberry thought it was going off, but there was no sound! Luckily my friend called. I was thinking, "why are they calling so early, my alarm hasn't gone off yet." She wanted a bike tube and I said, "Wait, what time is it?" She said, "What time is it????" It was 5:45. I was supposed to be at their house at 5:50. I had planned to get up at 4:30. FREAK OUT! I had everything ready thank goodness, and got over there in about 15 mins, we loaded their bikes and jetted. We arrived at 6:35, which was just enough time for me to stand in line at the portapotties! Wow! I never want to do that again! (Did you ever see that Seinfeld episode with the runner?)

I won't go over the mile by mile replay here. I was pretty consistent, and I gave it a shot in the middle miles but it wasn't to be. It was fun passing tons of people from mile 5 on! I think only one person passed me. I know from experience what it feels like to fade and I'm very glad I felt strong the whole way. The first 6 miles were 56:01 and the last 6 were 55:47, so I can safely say I was pretty consistent with a slight negative!

Good job! Looks like things are right on track for a great marathon in a few weeks here.

Great job on the race Peg. Way to negative split it. Hopefully you didn't expend too much energy stressing over waking up late. That's probably everyone's big fear.

Big week--5, 10, 5, 10, 20. Last big week! It's also going to be busy with things at school, so it will be interesting to get those runs in!

Yesterday I wanted to go run so bad! It was just gorgeous. But I didn't. I sat outside and read for a while, putting off grading 127 science tests as long as possible!

5 miles tonight. Really nice out--cool even. I took the dog. Felt really comfortable pace at around 10:30's.

10 miles at a pretty good pace--probably too fast--of 10:05 mpm. It was sunny and windy.

Peg Coover wrote:10 miles at a pretty good pace--probably too fast--of 10:05 mpm. It was sunny and windy.

Nice job! Your running is getting better and better!

127 science tests? Yikes - I'm terrified! Better you than me.

Ken Mello wrote:

Peg Coover wrote:10 miles at a pretty good pace--probably too fast--of 10:05 mpm. It was sunny and windy.

Nice job! Your running is getting better and better!

127 science tests? Yikes - I'm terrified! Better you than me.

Thanks Ken--yes, me too! Terrified everytime I assign something!!

5 miles today--wore the new shoes--still making my feet go numb. I really loosened the strings after 3 and it helped, but I'm getting a little pissed off.

Looking forward to FRIDAY and REST day tomorrow.

Almost taper time!! This place is getting more fun all the time.

Rest days are very good. Nice week going, 50 miles. Good luck on the 20 tomorrow. I missed why the feet are numb, is this a new type of shoe you are wearing?

The shoes are new, same Asics Nimbus but model 13--my last three pair were 12's....They just fit a little differently. I've usually had issues with the first few runs of new shoes, but my last couple pair none at all!

But, today I kept the laces loose and wore them for the whole 10 miles and they felt good! And the run was great! Supposed to be MP, and I was a bit slower at 10:24 but I think that is close enough! Felt great the whole time!! It was cool and sunny and windy.

One more biggie tomorrow!!!!!

My 20 was a challenge. I got out too late and it was much warmer than the day before. I changed clothes half way as I was soaked. I only did one gel at mile 7...by the time mile 14 came I didn't think my stomach could take it so I just had gatorade. The last four I really had to gut it out. At that point my legs were also telling me they were tired. Up to that point it was the heat and wind that were beating me down. My pace ended up the same as the day I ran 19, when it was super humid and hot. I wish it would have been a great 20, but it was over 10 mins slower than last time....Oh well, it is done.

Let the taper begin.

But you finished it right? I'm often very happy for a lousy long run - I believe they are needed in the cycle.

Way to gut out that final 20! I haven't been on the blogs much, but I think we've been on the same plan and schedule, because I just finished a 50 mile week with a 10 pace/20 LSD this weekend, and just started taper for St. George on 10/1.



Good luck in Twin Cities!

a 20 is a 20 and you had good time on your feet. You'll do great in MN!

Thanks you guys!

Rest day yesterday. Today I did the 8 for the mid week--it was just perfect weather and both Wed and Thurs it is supposed to be windy and rainy. Rather do 5 on those days than 8, and my legs and everything felt good. I never felt winded-- a few gradual hills. Total time 1:24.

Congrats on the half marathon! It looks like you ran very consistently. Great job on getting that final 20 in before taper. Best of luck!

Can you make your tests multiple choice so you just put them in that machine instead of grading them yourself? 127 seems like a ton of tests to grade. I'd be putting that off, too!

I'm with Michele on the lousy long run thing. I think they build mental strength because it forces you to perservere when it's not happening that day.

Yeah, I was thinking about the marathon a lot on that long run, about not giving up when it hurts or when you want to quit.

Tonight was 5--it was so cool, almost cold because I'm not expecting it! I wore shorts, a long sleeve base AND a cotton tee over it and I never got too warm! Easy pace. No watch.

Kathy, I made part of my test questions so they can go through the machine, but I don't feel right making all of them that way....And they did an awesome job on the 3 essay questions! Surprised me because last year the majority was pretty lazy!

And I had to grade 127 lab reports last night! EEEK! I have to admit, I skimmed them until the conclusion part so I was unable to find all of their spelling errors, etc. but since I'm looking for what they learned in lab, that is the most important part to me! It took about 2 hours and I have one class left to finish tonight.....

I found the mile by mile "how to run a great Twin Cities marathon" post that I found on Runners World 2 years ago again and I've been reading it and looking at the course map and elevation. I just feel this extra sense of anticipation and energy....I hope it carries thru to a great PR!!

Good luck to you too Glenn!

Regarding Twin Cities, make sure to hold back in the middle miles in the Park. It is a beautiful part of the course, but I got a bit carried aways there and paid for it a bit on the climb around mile 19-20. Loved the race and the cities though, and I really ran well despite the middle miles. Keep up the good work.

"Passing tons of people from mile 5 on" & Darla was slower than your time last year? You rock Peg!

Peg have you run Twin Cities before? I am sure you can PR as long as it's not too hot (not that it typically is, but you know how weather can affect pace).

John, thanks for the smile!

Julie, I have run Twin Cities twice before, in 2007 when it was super hot (same day as Chicago) and 2009.

Michele, thanks for the advice! You are correct! That post I referred to that I saved to my computer also says something similar--miles 8-11 are where most people ruin their TC marathon. Both times I ran it I really slowed the last 5-6 miles (of course, that's been the case in all my marathons!) The hills at the end are really tough though!

If I don't feel like I'm going too slow the first half, then I better be slowing down!

Oh, I forgot to post my run. It was low 40's. Can you believe that??? And a light rain. I had to wear tights, long sleeve and a jacket, and gloves for goodness sake! 4 miles. The plan called for 5 but I'm doing a 5k tomorrow and will pick up an extra one with my warm up.

After running TCM in 2007 I would agree that the uphill comes at a tough time around 20. I felt so bad after that race. That was my first one since the 1980s. I've come a long way since then. I did enjoy the course though.



Sounds like your running is going well Peg. It is indeed a lot cooler around here all of a sudden. Hope that your taper goes well also!