SATURDAY!!! 5K to support a local high school XC team..... And, a high school that I attended my senior year of high school. Above, is a picture taken during the 5K.... I actually have both feet off the ground!!!! Usually, that is never caught in my pictures!! LOL!
You can't really tell, but the above picture is a bit of a hill...... I am still working on getting up hills with a bit more ease...... every time I am running up a hill, I remember the words of a fellow runner who said you should pretend that you have ski poles in your hands and push down toward the ground with each pump of the arms..... It truly does make it a bit easier!!!!
The 5K didn't really go the way I had hoped....... I was feeling a bit "off".....not sure why though. Perhaps, there were lots of factors that contributed to my "off" feeling...... tired from the work week prior, warmer weather than what I was banking on, change of the course at last minute, late start time of 8:30am, sun in my eyes for most of the race, change in my morning routine, being hormonal........I just don't know. However, despite being "off," I had a great time running!! I know, kinda contradicts all my whining about the day, right? In the end, the run was for a great cause, and I was able to see my local running friends!!!! Plus, I ran!!!! That makes it a good run despite not turning out how one had hoped!!! :D
I ended up running the 5k in 24:43 (time by my garmin... not official time). That averages out to a 7:55 pace. My mile breakdown is as follows: 7:43, 8:04, and 8:05. I did manage to place first in my age group.....however, I only placed first because the girl that was actually first in my age group won the overall female category.... and, there is no double dipping.... therefore, she was bumped out of age group awards. So, technically, I was second in my age group!
Local running peeps!!!! :D
Sunday...........Long run day!!! Ok, this week, I meet up with some local runners who are quite speedy. I admire their running ability.... and, I do hope that one day, I can make running look as easy as they do! Typically, I run a long run between 10:20-10:30..............this is as per the coach's advice who designs my training plans. And, running slower long runs and hitting my week day runs is what has led to me obtaining goals in the past. For instance, a month ago running a half at 1:54:24 which averages a 8:43 pace. I KNOW that long runs are more about covering the distance and not for the speed. I have read many training tips from olympian and elite runners who stress the importance of slowing down the long run! One article that that discusses this is found on the HUNGRY RUNNER GIRL blog page-- Here!!
Anyway, for the last 2 weeks, I have been winging it because I was actually waiting for my new training plan that is to help me reach my goal of PRing the half marathon in Albany, GA in March.........so, Sunday, I decided on 10 miles and was going to go by how I felt. Here is the breakdown of the run:
10.01 miles at 9:15 pace (waaaaayyyyyyyy too fast-- granted, it did not feel like an effort, nor was I pushing, but waaaaaayyyyy too fast none-the-less!)
Mile 1- 10:13
Mile 2- 9:20 (too fast)
Mile 3- 9:20 (consistently too fast...LOL)
Mile 4- 9:03 (again, too fast)
Mile 5- 9:04 (yep, still too fast.... but, I was talking and not really looking at my watch)
Mile 6- 8:31 (again, not paying attention to watch...just running and talking...and politics were discussed --can I blame the fast on getting passionate about politics... I know, no excuses)
Mile 7- 9:09 (aaaaahhhhhh, too fast still!)
Mile 8- 9:15 ( I am sure at this point is when I knew I was running too fast....and, the words of the coach were circling in my head as I was visualizing him shaking his head)
Mile 9- 9:37 (Yes, still too fast)
Mile 10- 9:06 (And, I finished with too fast of a pace!!!!!!)
Afterwards, I felt great!!! I mean it was a comfortable run...great weather, great company, and I felt great......but, in the end..... way deep down, I knew what I had done was not the "smart" thing to do......and this was reinforced by the coach. I emailed him just to give him an update.... and he quickly responded stating.... "TOO FAST!" Then he went on to remind me of the things that I already know.... that long run needs to be controlled at 9:50-10:15 pace (he has decreased my pace for winter).... that my tempo runs are what are important to training along with the week day runs....... that if I continue to run fast on Sunday long runs, I will fatigue, and my week day runs would be crap which in the end would cost me not meeting my goal in March. So, just because you can run at a pace, doesn't mean you should!!! So, now, I have my new plan in hand, and I tend to stick to it!!!! I literally received my plan right after I emailed the coach about Sunday's long run..............I feel good about the plan!!!
Below, is the running group...minus a couple of regulars that had to miss..... great selfie photo, right?!!! Well, let me tell you..... there were a few takes prior to getting this group selfie.... we just could seem to figure out how to get everyone in pic and to get everyone smiling at the same time...... see below...
One of the few takes.....but, on our behalf..... this was after our long run...LOL!! :D
Here, we were trying to line up and then each person step out a bit to get everyone in picture.... ha! ha! We were working together, but then again needed another take!!! LOL! :D
Below is my fitbit confirming what my gamin above was telling me...... too fast!!! Overachiever!!!! And, again, I was reminded in an email from coach!!! oops!!!
As for fun events from last week........my son had a cake auction at Cub Scouts! He was super excited about his cake!!!
Each cub scout was provided with a paddle to bid on a cake......YES!!! The kids had control of the paddle..... my son and I had a heart to heart talk prior...... he was to look at me prior to lifting his paddle for a bid on a cake...... knowing my son, he would keep bidding up if I didn't have a say so.... and, considering he didn't have money with him.... I told him he better check with me prior to lifting his paddle!! HA! HA!
My son made a basic yellow cake with chocolate frosting....... he insisted on having his pack number written with skittles on the top!! I think it looked great!
Here were other very cool cakes!!!!!
Here he is auctioning off his cake..........
Gotta get the nightly routine going....... UNTIL LATER!!!!!!!!