Ocean Drive 10 Mile Race Recap

I have started this race recap a few times over the past few days and then deleted it.  I did not even want to think about the race because I was disappointed.  This is the third year I have run this particular 10 mile race.  Last year I ran it in 1:43:51 according to my Garmin.  The race is not timed electronically so I pushed the start button when I crossed the start line.  Because I did that last year, I wanted to stay consistent and do the same this year.  I was really hoping to get under 1:40:00 but that was sadly not the case.  I PRed by right under 2 minutes and I am happy about that.  My finish time according to my Garmin was 1:41:52. 

The weather was better than what I expected.  Race start was 9 and the weather report was 32 and 30% chance of snow.  There were some flurries but for a half mile at the most.  I was concerned about what to wear because I did not want to overdress.  I ended up wearing my Brooks long sleeve running tee, a short sleeve tee on top, my tights, throwaway gloves, and my hat.  I tossed my hat to John around mile 8 but could have lost it sooner than that.  The gloves were tossed somewhere between mile marker 2 and 3.  I am glad I bought cheapie gloves at the expo the day before. 

I ran with my Ipod which I have never done before while running on the road.  I plan on having it with me when I run the Delaware marathon in May so I wanted to try it out.  Now I am working on what songs I want to have on the playlist.  I don't plan on running with music the whole marathon but I know Delaware will not be the Philly marathon and I will not have a ton of spectators to get me over the wall!

On the positive side, I felt strong.  I feel like my training was much smarter going into this race than it was last year.  I also recovered a lot easier.  I took Monday as a rest day, ran Tuesday for 35 minutes, and a 40 minute tempo run this morning.  My legs were heavy yesterday morning but I felt back to normal this morning!  John also commented that I looked better at mile 8 than I have at any other race!

Next up.....Delaware Marathon on May 15th!!

Taper week

I am running a ten mile race in 6 days so I guess this is a taper week for me.  My coach is decreased the time and intensity of my runs this week.  My schedule for the week goes like this:

Today - rest of a 30 minute easy spin.  I am going to take the rest day.  My legs are beat from the 11.3 miles yesterday.
Tuesday - 40 minute run with intervals
Wednesday - rest or spin.  I am planning on an easy ride.
Thursday - 35 minute tempo run
Friday - 30 minute recovery run
Saturday - rest
Sunday - 10 mile race with an easy 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down.

I went crazy on my taper for the marathon but that was a huge decrease in miles and over two weeks.  I hope this week is better for me!

This is the third year I am running this race and the first with a time goal.  I have yet to set that time goal but I have some thoughts on it. 

I am loving this running coach thing.  I love knowing that someone else is working out the pace, crunching numbers, and all that fun stuff for me!  I do enough number crunching at work.

Officially a bad ass!!

A few months ago I decided it was time to HTFU and I think I officially did that last weekend.  Last Sunday I had 9 miles on the schedule.  The weatherman was calling for rain, pouring rain that is.  Two months ago I would have banged out the 9 miles on the treadmill.  Not last weekend!!  I hit the road a little after 6 in the morning to beat most of the rain.  I ran 5 miles before it started to rain.  Miles 6, 7, and 8 were in light rain but 9 was in pouring rain.  I could have continued on home right after I hit mile 8 and would have been in the downpour for less than a quarter mile.  At that point I was already soaking wet and did not want to disappoint my coach on my first long run with her.  I turned right instead of running straight to go home and finished my 9 miles. 

I felt tough the rest of the day.  My 10 miles yesterday felt easy compared to the 9 the previous!

Three Things Thursday

1.  I am rotten to the core!  A friend texted me a picture of her positive pregnancy test this morning.  I decided to mess around with my dad/boss this morning.  I had my oldest son at the office before taking him to school.  As soon as I left to take him, I sent the picture to my dad.  I am still laughing about it but I don't think he is.  I thought I was going to have to pee on a stick to prove I am not pregnant!!

2.  I tried in the sample for my tri club's tri suits.  They are going to be great and I can't wait!!

3.  All of a sudden I am freaking out about my May 15th marathon.  For some reason I am afraid I don't have the time to get my long runs up there.  I think having a coach now has kinda freaked me out.  I don't see my plan layed out in front of me for every week between now and then.  I now have to trust someone else!