Well I finished, with a new PR to boot. It wasn't pretty at the end, but I met my main goal of a new PR with a 4:11:29. I crossed the halfway at 2:02:02, but fell way off that pace in the late miles due to some severe leg cramping. Oh well, I can't be upset with today. I gave it my best, and my legs carried me 26.2 miles. Now for a lot of rest and recovery. I'll try to write up a race review (with pictures!) tomorrow before I forget everything.
Here is how the last week of training (major taper week) looked, all 35.77 miles (running) of it:
Sun 10/9: Rest
Mon 10/10: 1.41 easy with Lucy, 12:07, 8:37 pace; P90X Ab Ripper X
Tues 10/11: 3.53 easy, 32:35, 9:14 pace
Wed 10/12: 2.47 easy, 22:36, 9:08 pace
Thurs 10/13: Rest
Fri 10/14: Rest
Sat 10/15: 2.16 easy, ,19:14, 8:54 pace; .46 mile walk with Lucy, 7:38
Sun 10/16: 26.2 race, 4:11:29, 9:36 pace
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Detroit Marathon Expo
Yesterday afternoon, Josh and I dropped Lucy off at my parents and headed downtown to Cobo for the Marathon Expo. The hours for the expo were relatively short, 3-8 on Friday and 10-7 Saturday. Parking was kind of a pain, but Josh found a metered street spot for $1 so we didn't have to pay $5-10 to get into one of the nearby garages.
The Expo itself wasn't all that big. The had plenty of booths covering a wide range of items, but we were only there about an hour. I shopped around a little bit, but only picked up a few Gus to stockpile for the next few months.
Since we got there so early (4:00 or so), there was virtually no line for the packet pick up and it was a breeze. Because of the international aspect of the race, you have to show your passport or an enhanced drivers license to get your bib. Even though this info is all over the website, present in the registration process, and on facebook and twitter, I am shocked at how many people claim to not know this!
I even had a chance to stop by the Problems&Solutions table to change my corral - I wanted to move up to corral F, since I think I want to aim for a 9:15-9:30ish pace early on. Once again, no issues! (They just have the corrals printed in the upper corner, so I just got a sticker to place over it with a new letter.)
I think I am ready for tomorrow. I did 2 miles easy today and felt good. I keep going back and forth about what to wear. I almost always overdress, but I am afraid of being too cold. I'll decide sometime tonight, or in the morning after I check the weather for the 345,683 time.
The weather is still iffy. Temps are predicted between 48 and 52 for the 4 hours I'll be running (which is awesome), with winds from the SW at 11 mph. No sun, but cloudy with a 30-40% chance of showers the entire time (not awesome). So really, the only thing I need to finish up tonight is figuring out what I am going to wear! (Shorts or capris, long sleeve UA shirt or arm sleeves)
As for goals, my main one is a PR (my previous marathon was 4:23:23). I think I'm going to start out at 4:10 race, but part of me still wants to break 4 hours. I also want to finish strong so the last few miles aren't torture, so I think I will start out more conservatively than that.
Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with a race report and great news!!! I can do this!
The Expo itself wasn't all that big. The had plenty of booths covering a wide range of items, but we were only there about an hour. I shopped around a little bit, but only picked up a few Gus to stockpile for the next few months.
I had a chance to scope out the course, again.
Since we got there so early (4:00 or so), there was virtually no line for the packet pick up and it was a breeze. Because of the international aspect of the race, you have to show your passport or an enhanced drivers license to get your bib. Even though this info is all over the website, present in the registration process, and on facebook and twitter, I am shocked at how many people claim to not know this!
Go 1727!!!
I even had a chance to stop by the Problems&Solutions table to change my corral - I wanted to move up to corral F, since I think I want to aim for a 9:15-9:30ish pace early on. Once again, no issues! (They just have the corrals printed in the upper corner, so I just got a sticker to place over it with a new letter.)
I think I am ready for tomorrow. I did 2 miles easy today and felt good. I keep going back and forth about what to wear. I almost always overdress, but I am afraid of being too cold. I'll decide sometime tonight, or in the morning after I check the weather for the 345,683 time.
The weather is still iffy. Temps are predicted between 48 and 52 for the 4 hours I'll be running (which is awesome), with winds from the SW at 11 mph. No sun, but cloudy with a 30-40% chance of showers the entire time (not awesome). So really, the only thing I need to finish up tonight is figuring out what I am going to wear! (Shorts or capris, long sleeve UA shirt or arm sleeves)
As for goals, my main one is a PR (my previous marathon was 4:23:23). I think I'm going to start out at 4:10 race, but part of me still wants to break 4 hours. I also want to finish strong so the last few miles aren't torture, so I think I will start out more conservatively than that.
Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with a race report and great news!!! I can do this!
Go Blue! Beat MSU!
Its rivalry week in Michigan: the UofM vs. MSU football game takes place at noon today in East Lansing.
Josh and I are hanging at my parents, watching the game with my favorite State fan, my sister. But we are hoping Michigan kicks State's butt! My parents are claiming to be neutral, but I think my mom is secretly rooting for Michigan because she feels bad for me since State has won the last 3 years in a row.
Here are my picks for the week:
UPDATE: 39 points, somewhat disappointing week. Good thing I had my confidences in order, bad thing I couldn't pick the winners. Josh fell the third, I'm hanging onto 6th place.
All I have to say is GO BLUE!
Here are my picks for the week:
10 pts: Oregon over Arizona St
9 pts: South Carolina over Mississippi State
8 pts: Oklahoma State over Texas
7 pts: Virginia Tech over Wake Forest
6 pts: UNC over Miami
5 pts: Texas A&M over Baylor
4 pts: Illinois over Ohio State
3 pts: Texas Tech over Kansas State
2 pts: Michigan over MSU
1 pt: Florida over Auburn
UPDATE: 39 points, somewhat disappointing week. Good thing I had my confidences in order, bad thing I couldn't pick the winners. Josh fell the third, I'm hanging onto 6th place.
All I have to say is GO BLUE!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Stop stalking the weather!
I can't help myself. The good news: there is a slight improvement over this morning!!!
Now, maybe I can wish the rain away? I'm sure gonna try!
Marathon Taper: Weather Watch
Man, who knew a 10-day weather forecast was SOOO difficult! I can't believe how much this has changed over the past week!
At my last update, the weather on Sunday was predicted to be 65 and Sunny. I was ok with that, but wished it would be a tad bit cooler. Temps fluctuated over the next few days, and once I saw them reach 71 for a high, I started praying. Everything comes with a price! As of yesterday temps were going to be 51 with showers. Now they are saying 58 degrees, but showers and WIND. NOOO!!!!! Really, I can deal with the rain, its not that big of a deal. But I really, really, don't want to deal with 20 mph wind. Yuck. So, I'll keep my fingers crossed for that partly cloudy, 55 degress, calm forecast that I dream of.
Overall, anxiety is starting to set in a little bit. I struggle with the taper - I understand the importance, but its hard. You want you legs to be rested, but not stale. I have 2 more short 2-mile runs to do before the big race. I know I'm ready. I've put in the miles, injuries are now minor tweaks every now and then, and I'm concentrating on my carb and fluid intake. I'm still icing every day, but more as a preventative precaution than because of any pain.
I've been going back and forth over my pace. With my recent half-marathon PR, a few running calculators are predicting I can complete a marathon in 4:02. I don't know about that..... I'm leaning more towards a 4:05-4:10 marathon time, but the idea of breaking 4 hours is pretty lucrative as well. I really want to push myself and do the best I am capable of, but I am so worried about starting out too fast. That is the biggest mistake a marathoner can make: start out too fast, and can't finish strong. I've managed to maintain a 9:20-9:36 pace on my long training runs, but those had untimed breaks in them. Really, there should be no reason I can't maintain a 9:00 min/mile pace, but I think I'm too nervous to start there. What to do, what to do.... I'll make a decision closer to the race, I need to be sure of what the conditions are and see how I'm feeling that morning.
And since I like winning free stuff, I'm going to mention 2 upcoming giveaways so I can have an extra entry in each. You should check these out!
SkinnyRunner is giving out a bunch of stuff, including Odwalla bars, laces, Gu, and a SR shirt. Just vote for her for the Refuel with Chocolate Milk grant.
Shut Up + Run is giving away what looks like some super-comfy champion gear. Just let her know what you wear after a long run.
Overall, anxiety is starting to set in a little bit. I struggle with the taper - I understand the importance, but its hard. You want you legs to be rested, but not stale. I have 2 more short 2-mile runs to do before the big race. I know I'm ready. I've put in the miles, injuries are now minor tweaks every now and then, and I'm concentrating on my carb and fluid intake. I'm still icing every day, but more as a preventative precaution than because of any pain.
I've been going back and forth over my pace. With my recent half-marathon PR, a few running calculators are predicting I can complete a marathon in 4:02. I don't know about that..... I'm leaning more towards a 4:05-4:10 marathon time, but the idea of breaking 4 hours is pretty lucrative as well. I really want to push myself and do the best I am capable of, but I am so worried about starting out too fast. That is the biggest mistake a marathoner can make: start out too fast, and can't finish strong. I've managed to maintain a 9:20-9:36 pace on my long training runs, but those had untimed breaks in them. Really, there should be no reason I can't maintain a 9:00 min/mile pace, but I think I'm too nervous to start there. What to do, what to do.... I'll make a decision closer to the race, I need to be sure of what the conditions are and see how I'm feeling that morning.
And since I like winning free stuff, I'm going to mention 2 upcoming giveaways so I can have an extra entry in each. You should check these out!
SkinnyRunner is giving out a bunch of stuff, including Odwalla bars, laces, Gu, and a SR shirt. Just vote for her for the Refuel with Chocolate Milk grant.
Shut Up + Run is giving away what looks like some super-comfy champion gear. Just let her know what you wear after a long run.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Move over!
Our nights have been interesting lately. Remember how I said we needed a king bed? Well, the more time Lucy spends upstairs, the more comfortable she gets. By sprawling:
Where the hell are we supposed to sleep??? Josh and I slowly edge our way into bed from opposite sides. Puppy rolls onto her back in between us for belly rubs, then eventually rolls back over to fall asleep. And snore. We are left hugging the sides of the bed, trying to find enough leg room to get comfortable.
Lucy takes herself upstairs to bed each night between 7-7:30, so she has some time up there when she has the bed all to herself. She is lucky she is such an adorable puppy, because I wouldn't put up with this from any dog. It absolutely melts my heart to see how much she loves us. I can see it in her eyes everyday.
She made herself comfortable in the dead center of the bed. She was actually stretched out more than this before I went to get the camera.
Where the hell are we supposed to sleep??? Josh and I slowly edge our way into bed from opposite sides. Puppy rolls onto her back in between us for belly rubs, then eventually rolls back over to fall asleep. And snore. We are left hugging the sides of the bed, trying to find enough leg room to get comfortable.
Lucy takes herself upstairs to bed each night between 7-7:30, so she has some time up there when she has the bed all to herself. She is lucky she is such an adorable puppy, because I wouldn't put up with this from any dog. It absolutely melts my heart to see how much she loves us. I can see it in her eyes everyday.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Fall Colors
I love fall. One of the best things about living in Michigan is the beautiful scene of color each October as the leaves change. This weekend is essentially the peak of color for the season, so I snapped a few pictures during my run yesterday morning down on the Riverwalk. Then yesterday afternoon we headed up to Wixom Lake for one last trip to the cabin. We wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather, see the colors, and pick some apples from the very old tree down by the water. Today we loaded up Lucy again and headed out to the State Park for a walk on the trails and a picnic lunch with cider and donuts for dessert (and a bone for Lucy). Here are a bunch of pictures from the weekend:
Great trails out at the State Park too. So lucky to have this great place 15 min from the house.
Beautiful colors out around this pond.
Lucy really liked walking the trails. She tried to say Hi to every dog we came across.
A view of the Bay across the beach. It was a picture perfect day all around.
Picnic lunch: egg salad sandwich to share and my fall must-haves: cider and apple cider donuts. Yumm-o!
Loving this
I think puppy had a great day too. She got a bone while we had lunch, and enjoyed laying in the cool grass while Josh and I took in the views.
The Riverwalk in Bay City - I LOVE the running paths around here!
More beauty on the run
Apple picking. Why are all the good looking apples always just out of reach?
The colors at the lake were gorgeous!
Family picture time!
Me and Josh
Enjoying a relaxing walk through the woods (with the pup).
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