Madison Half Marathon Race Review

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Goal time: 2:30
Official time: 2:30:12 with 13.21 miles on my Garmin

I planned to start out slower than the 11:27 minutes mile pace I needed to make goal and gradually speed up over the course of the race. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans! I haven't downloaded my exact splits yet, but I pretty well followed the 2:30 pacer until mile 10 when I passed her. Glad I did because after the race, she told me her pace was off.

The course had a couple decent hills and some rollers. The first was at mile 2 and was no problem. The second was much steeper, but luckily not very long at mile 9. I had to start my walk interval a few seconds early for that one. I got a little giddy when I passed the pacer and sped up far too much running mile 11 in 10:24. That almost did me in for the final mile. My feet felt like they were encased in concrete. My stomach started rolling. I kept looking at my watch, wondering if I was going to make it. To say I wanted that 2:30 badly would be a huge understatement!! I dug deep and made it with nothing left in the tank! I will admit to a few tears of joy afterwards.

My wonderful BF was waiting for me at the finish with peanut butter crackers and a diet coke - my favorite recovery food! My son and his girlfriend were also there cheering me on.

Things I learned:
1. Visual motivation works for me! Keeping that 2:30 sign within sight during the race helped tremendously.
2. Eat the second Gu!!!!! Even when I don't feel like it!
3. Save the surge for mile 12!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MIRAGE727 5/29/2013 8:58AM

Outstanding effort! You were all over that Half! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEABREEZE63 5/29/2013 6:53AM

CONGRATULATIONS! You did Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

MELROSE13 5/28/2013 7:16PM

YOU GO GIRL!!!! Great job!!! What are your walk intervals? My goal for half marathon is 9 run 1 walk. I like that pace.. Visual goals definitely help...I usually use a person that I have been with for a while, after around mile 3 and the crowds thin out..you know that one that you pass , then they pass you kind of thing. It really helps me a lot..and I hear ya on the GU..lifesavers!!! Better to have it and take it than to feel too drained after! So, when is your next one :) Report Inappropriate Comment

PASTAFARIAN 5/28/2013 6:07PM

Great race report! PS: When you say "feet felt like they were encased in concrete" is when you know you've given it your all and had a great race :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

OWL_20 5/28/2013 2:36PM

'Save the surge for mile 12"--I think those are wise words! Sounds like a great time, though and you did really well! Between your pacer and Junepa's pacer in her HM, I'm not sure I ever want to follow one as they seem to have issues--but then again it's a tough job. Take care and thanks for the recap! Report Inappropriate Comment

I'm throwing away the scale!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

No scale for me in June. I've been too blinded by the numbers on the scale and how I perceive them lately. Here's the truth as measured by my trainer:

Body fat: 23.4%
Chest: 37.5 in
Waist at belly button: 33 in
Hips: 40 in
Thigh: 23 in
Bicep: 11 in

I'm wearing a size 8 jean and a medium shirt.

The numbers on the scale tell me I'm 10-15 lbs heavier than I should be. My BMI say that I'm overweight. Well, I'm not going to listen any more!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STEVIEBEE569 5/28/2013 2:59PM

Good for you! You keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

CARL-ASCHLUGE 5/28/2013 11:13AM

Do what works best for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

June Goals

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

June will be all about fitness! My Game On pals and I have decided instead of weight loss goals, we will focus on fitness.

1. Ride 100 miles per week on my bike. Spin class on rainy days.
2. Run 13-15 miles per week.
3. Strength train using heavy weights 2-3 times per week.
4. Stretching and foam rolling daily.

While I'm breaking my new bike seat in, I'll be doing daily 20 mile rides in the afternoons and running or lifting mornings before work. Later in the month, I'll switch to 3 - 20 mile rides during the week and a 40 miler on the weekend.

I plan to do one of my old Turbulence Training workouts for my ST. Great circuit training!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

STEVIEBEE569 5/22/2013 6:44PM

Great plan! I have to work on my June goals! Thanks for the reminder! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRILLIUM22 5/21/2013 6:46PM

Sounds great Report Inappropriate Comment

OWL_20 5/21/2013 3:49PM

Whoa, that's a great plan, especially with the bike totals! Good luck with that seat, too, lol. I just invested in some new bike shorts for woman--oh, man are they comfortable. And my DH has taken in his road bike for an overhaul so we can go on some rides this summer (woo-hoo). Report Inappropriate Comment

SHIRAZSOLLY 5/21/2013 2:41PM

Good for you! That's a widely varied plan! Report Inappropriate Comment

Madison Half Prep

Monday, May 06, 2013

20 day and 8 more runs until Madison. I had a good 13.1 mile training run on Saturday. I aim to make the most of my taper. I'll continue with daily (well almost daily) hip/glute exercised and stretches. I've added in daily foam rolling and plan to do some trigger point work too. Planning a chiro visit and massage early next week. Thanks to the Game On diet, my nutrition has been very good the last 6 weeks.

I'm always excited about my races, but this one is extra special. My son moved to Madison 2 years ago, so he and his girl friend will be there to support me. It's rather a nice "turn of phrase" so to speak since he ran track throughout high school and college and I rarely missed a meet. Now it's his turn to cheer me on.

My goal is to take 4 minutes off my San Diego Half time and finish in under 2:30. I'm slowly inching towards my previous PR of 2:21. I've done what I can so far, but weather will be a determining factor. I'm loving my training this time and am proud to have almost 1 1/2 years of continuous weekly running under my belt! Every time I run, I learn something about myself. How cool is that?!?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

OWL_20 5/10/2013 7:38PM

How cool is that? Very cool! I'm doing the same thing, i.e. learning about what works and what doesn't. It'll be great to have that support in Madison--turn-about is fair play! Congrats on doing all the hard work ahead of time for the half...but I have to ask what is the Game On diet? Report Inappropriate Comment

San Diego Half

Friday, March 15, 2013

My body and mind are still getting used to "real" time after being two time zones away from home and having daylight savings time hit. Luckily, I can sleep in and nap a little this weekend to catch up.

San Diego is a beautiful city! I'm an active vacationer, so we explored Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla, Old Town, Coranado, and downtown SD. We loved the surfer vibe in OB. That was definitely the area that we felt most comfortable in.

Sunday's weather was perfect to run in. It was a little chilly to start, but never got too warm. The course was very scenic. I loved running by the bay. This was my BF's first half, so he was pretty nervous beforehand. We started out slow, but got into the groove by mile 4. That ended abruptly when we hit the huge hill that was all of mile 8 plus. I personally like hills and the challenge they provide. The BF, well, not so much. We kept our intervals going until almost to the top when we walked a little extra. My attempts at being a cheerleader for the BF fell flat, but we picked right up with our planned intervals once we hit the top of the hill. It was downhill from mile 10 to the finish line, so we ramped it up and finished strong. We finished 5 minutes faster than my previous half time! Being able to cross the finish line hand in hand after all those hours of training was such a fabulous feeling. It's a blessing to have such a great training partner!!

I truly thought that I'd suffer from some burnout and be ready to take a short break from running, but am amazed to feel just the opposite. I felt so good after this race - a little sore, but recovered quickly. As I ran, I kept thinking of what I needed to tweak for my next race. Definitely more strength training with loads of squats and lunges. It'll be nice when this Iowa weather straightens out so we can run outside the majority of the time.

I'm feeling the renewal that spring brings deep within me. I want to hold that feeling tight and not lose it. It feels so good!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUNEPA 3/15/2013 6:43PM

Awesome !! Report Inappropriate Comment

COOP9002 3/15/2013 11:13AM

Sounds like a beautiful place to run a half-marathon. Glad the two of you were able to share such an experience. Report Inappropriate Comment