I think I CAN!

My computer is in the best buy repair shop so I'll be updating a weeks worth of info at a time until it is returnerd.

I finished a 20 miler with my local running group.  We started out with quite a few folks and people dropped off at the different mile marks.  In the end there were only 2 of us to finish up the 20 miles.  Is is sad that a 67 year old man was dusting me?  Man, I was just keeping up with him.  He and I will be running a marathon together in 2 weeks.  Let's hope I can hang with him....I might end up with a PR.

My legs are soooooooooo sore from yesterday.  Dang....how does that old man do it?!

Was too lazy to run hills this morning so I found myself on the treadmill once again doing repeats at night time.  I often wonder if I'm working harder on the tread mill. 

I ran with my heart rate monitor and got up to 192 BPM (yikes).  Next week I'll do the actual hill workout on the road and compare the two. 

I'm thinking I'll need to tone the incline and/or speed down on the treadmill else this 30 something heart is going to jump out of my chest and go on strike.

Last long run before the race next weekend. The group decided to keep it under 10 miles.

The temps here were mid 70's on tuesday and below freezing this morning.  Brrrrrr.

On a different note, last night I signed up for a 100 mile race in Oct.  I was telling my running group about this.  As expected I got a lot of "are you nuts?!" comments.  What I wasn't expecting was the, "hey that sounds like fun, I'll sign up too".  No kidding!  One of the ladies I run with (she is so much more talented than me) has offered to join me.  She's done a 50 miler (about 1.5 hours quicker than I did) a little over a year ago.  Are you stunned reading this?  I'm still stunned that she offered and that was 12 hours ago.

Wow, that would be exciting to have someone to run my local long runs with between now and Oct.  I've got a few training marathons and ultras along the way.  My race partner from VA will be at a few of those (Thanks Elvis).  Also forgot to mention, my race partner from VA has also signed up for the 100 miler as well....although it was his idea...I'm not an ultra pimp. :)

On that note, good luck with your 50 mile training this year Leslie!

Had a great 4 miles tonight. I went out for an easy run and felt fast. I didn't wear my garmin which is probably a good thing as it might have actually popped my good vibes bubble.

I started wearing my trail shoes to run in ...just the Asics 2130 in a trail version. I'm noticing that they are more comfortable then the regular Asics 2130 shoe. I would have thought the street and the trail version should have the same cut and basic "feel" but the trail shoes just seem to have a bit more room and feel more comfortable. Perhaps it all my imagination.

Saw an armadillo tonight. It crossed right in front of me. I looked like a hunched back cat until it went under a street light. Those guys can really book. I had no clue they could move so fast on those little legs.

Cold and windy!  We started at a bone chilling 20 degrees and headed out for our 2 loops around Robins AFB.  The course itself is very FLAT with perhaps a total elevation change of 80' per half marathon.  Very nice.

I ran with my 67 y/o training partner and a fellow member of the local running club who was working on his marathon maniac status.  He had just run the Disney marathon 6 days prior.  We were also joined with a wonderful lady who has done some long runs with us.  She was running her very first half marathon.  As you can guess the conversation never lulled.

Shortly after starting it warmed up and I started reaping the benefits of a local marathon.  We were able to shed some clothes at mile 6 hading them over to the photographer and good friend knowing we'd see our jackets again at the finish line.  We passed (and were passed) by several folks exchanging words of encouragement.  Our half marathoners had only trained up to 10 miles and started struggling around mile 11.5 to the finish line.  We walked more than was expected but since I had no time goals it wasn't much of a problem. My goal is to show significant improvement by Snickers marathon so the moments of extended walking really helps cushion the base line. 

Around mile 19 I actually start to have pain in my hips (where it meets my lower back). Ouch!  My 67 year old running buddy started getting tired around mile 23-24 and needed to walk more....fine by me.

What I find most incredible is the fact we walked more than expected, messed around more at aid stations than expected and still within the cutoff time. Instead we finished with an ungraceful 5:45 but I had thought we were going to be over 6 with all the walking we did.

Overall it is still the worlds most dull race.  The race support is good, the race is well organized, and you can't ask for much more but runnng up and down the flight line is about as much fun as a root canal.  That said, if you are looking for a super fast finish then this should be on your to-do list.

Side note: My friend just sent word that he is now officially MM #1317 !!

OK, I was a big chicken and decided NOT to run in the 19 degree weather to do my hill repeats this morn.  I know what you are thinking....she is NOT a die hard runner....yep, you are correct.

Instead, I did put kids to bed, cleaned up the kitchen and hit the treadmill at the gym at 9:30 this evening for my hill repeats.  So instead of suffering in the cold wondering if a car is going to hit me I ran on a tread mill, watched the inagural ball on 6 TVs, listened to some entertaining music, and watched a bunch of young people strut.  

I ran the marathon in my trail shoes and I'm wondering if that is what caused my pain or if running with a slower person thus shortening my stride did it. I ran in my old street shoes this evening as I didn't want a repeat.

I decided this time not to elevate the treadmill incline over 4.5.  I wasn't ready to red line my heart this evening.  It was a good workout.

Nice and easy 7 miles.  As I was running I realized how much i've slacked these past 2 months with respect to running.  I think I've been on the pavement (or treadmill) just 2 times a week for a while. It's time to get back to training!

I've been wondering how much camping the night before a race will affect the outcome of the race.  There are a couple of upcoming races that start at camp grounds.  Paying $5 a night is so much less painful than the $75+ a night I've been paying for hotels.  This is a long shot, but has anyone done the camp/run thing and can give feedback?

Easy lunch time miles.  Great day for a run... 52 degrees, overcast, misting on occasion. Sweet!

Now back to work.

Easy and short long run