Final Long Run

My final long run was on August 29th. Since it was just a little over a week before the race, I only ran 10 miles. I started at the park where the race starts and ran on part of (what I think) the course will be. This was a pretty good run. It actually felt much easier to run 10 miles. I can tell that I have improved a lot since the beginning of this process. I finished with a my best long run pace ever - 11:25 min/mile. I'm not sure what the actual race will be like (being 3 miles longer), but I hope to try and keep that pace. For this run, I was able to keep up that pace for the whole time - sometimes I will slow each mile, with the last few miles being really slow. I wish I had the answer as to why I run out of steam sometimes.



I love running outside now. Each mile seems to pass by quickly. Now when I run on the treadmill it seems to drag on forever - even just running 3 miles is like torture. It used to be the opposite - I thought running outside was so much harder. It does take more effort, but it is worth it.

Sometimes I feel like I haven't adequately prepared for the race. Like I should have run more or started earlier. I hope that I am prepared for race day. All in all, I am proud of what I have accomplished. We'll see if I ever want to do it again...

Garmin Connect Data

August 22 5 mile run

This was not a very good run for me. I just felt like I could not get in a rhythm. I just ran around where I live and it is very hilly! Going up the hills made me tired and then I had to keep stopping for traffic lights. I guess I'm better off running on the trails that are flat and pretty free from street crossings.



Garmin Connect Data

August 15th long run

Today my challenge was to run 13 miles. Since my previous long run had been 12 miles I didn't think it would be much harder. For some reason it was! There were 2 trails that I had run on before. According to an article in the paper, there was a way for them to connect up - you just had to go off trail for a little bit and follow some railroad tracks. I did get a little lost trying to connect the trails - and that probably got my rhythm off a little bit. I also had taken some ibuprofen earlier to help with some aches and pains - I think this made my stomach hurt. The last couple of miles I was walking a lot and in a lot of pain. Hopefully my half goes better! It took me about 2:40 to run 13 miles. My average pace was 12:22. I am shooting for 2:30 or under for the race.



August 15th long run

One mile time trial.

This week it was time to head to the track to do a one mile time trial. Last time I did this my mile time was 9:39. I know that I can run faster because that was my first mile split when I ran the 5K. Also, my long run pace (11:30 - 12:00) suggests that my 1 mile time should be a little faster. Today I ran it in 9:05. I'm happy that I was able to cut 30 seconds off, but I could probably still cut it down a little more. I ran a few more miles and then headed home. I enjoy the challenge of my long runs but it's nice when it's a recovery week.

August 8th Time Trial

Monument Valley Park

This run was a much needed long run. I usually do a fairly long run every other week as part of my training plan. Last week I was supposed to do a long run, but it was the also the 5K (plus I was traveling and it's always kind of hard to do while traveling). Anyway, it had been two weeks since my 11 mile run and I was a little worried about doing a 12 mile run. I had been wanting to go to Monument Valley Park - another nice downtown park that connects to the Pikes Peak Greenway trail. This park had trails that circle around the park and connect to the longer main trail. I thought I would circle the park once and then go out and back on the main trail. There was actually some kind of race going on at the park, but after I circled the park and got to the part of the trail where the "finish" line was, the race was all over. It was a really nice trail and park. The day started out overcast and cool - which was nice, and then cleared up with some sun. The trail was nicely shaded in most parts so that helped. I'm pretty sure at least part of the half marathon is on this section of trail. So it was also nice to get familiar with the terrain. I took along two different gels - a power bar chocolate gel and a cliff shots vanilla. The chocolate one actually tasted pretty good. The vanilla was was disgusting. I think I'll stick to the power bar brand - that one has tasted the best so far. I also had my best pace ever for a long run - 11:29 average per mile. My 10 mile run was 12:41 and my 11 mile run was 12:22. Somehow, I had the energy to finish faster than my last few miles. In the past, I have always gotten slower and slower as the run went a long. Now I'm hopeful that I can finish in about 2:30. I did 12 miles in 2:18 and I'm pretty sure I could have done one more mile in 12 minutes or less. I misjudged my distance and had about 3/4 of a mile back to my car after the 12 miles. I stopped my watch right at 12 miles because I wanted my average pace to be for the 12 miles. I was pretty sore and tired on that walk back. I was also sore the rest of the day - not really my muscles, but my joints. The next day my muscles were pretty sore. I got some blisters on my toes as well. I felt like it was a pretty good run. I love getting to know the trails all around Colorado Springs. Today there was an article in the paper that had maps and explanations of a lot of the trails. I'm excited to try some different ones next time.



August 1 Long Run on Garmin Connect