[chosha2002]

Happy Last Week of March! This particular month always seems to be so long! Hope you guys had great runs and xtrns this weekend. I'm still dealing with a chest cold now. Woke up w/a coughing fit so my DH suggested I wait a couple more days before trying to run. I'll hold off until Wed. That's as long as I think I can stand it!

 

[chosha2002]

Birdie - Congratulations on finishing under an hour! That's great and hardware for the series! That's a great accomplishment. Second in your age group is fantastic! Enjoy it. You worked hard for it! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Birdie]

Take care of yourself Chosha...a few days off won't hurt you only help you. You still have plenty of time before your race so take your time and ease back into things once you feel better.<br><br>
I had to run wk6d1 on the treadmill today since it was raining here. It was good for me in a way because it forces me to keep a constant pace at the level I want to be training at according to the mcmillian predictor. It felt good though and I might keep at least one of the weekday runs on the treadmill to keep my pace in check. We are about to hit rainy season anyways so I might end up on the treadmill more than I like until the fall again. It is funny cause our racing season is coming to an end soon while everyone else's is just starting up. It is just too darn hot here in the summer for races...even if you were to start them at 7 it will already be 80.<br><br>
I am really unsure of my training right now though...a part of me doesn't want to do this 10k anymore and instead work on a 5k program to get faster since that is what most of our races are here anyways. I could do that this summer until the half marathon training starts at the end of august. I don't know....I will just stick with the 10k program for now until I decide. At least I will be following something for the time being.

 

[intensebeet]

I can't believe your race season is almost over, my first race of the year is still a week and a half away and it will probably still be cold. After the race I'm continuing on with training for 10k races, there are a lot of 10k trail races around here this summer and that's my goal through the summer, not sure what kind of plan to follow during that period though; my training is definitely better when I'm following a plan so I feel like I need to find something. Like you, I won't be starting half marathon training until the end of summer if I find a race I like so there's a lot of time between now and then to fill.

 

[Birdie]

I think a lot of people do tri's here in the summer time. There are tons of sprints this summer. We also still have a few 5k's during the summer. We have some really nice half and full marathons down here starting in December if you are ready for some warmer weather by then. The Marathon of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach is in December, the Miami Marathon is in January and the Ft. Lauderdeal Marathon is in February. I live in the Ft. Lauderdale area which is smack in the middle of the other two. I am shooting for the Ft. Lauderdale half for my first since it is closer to home. I hear that the Miami one is awesome though. I have family and friends in the Detroit area so if the Ft. Lauderdale half goes well in Feb of 09 I might fly up for that one in Oct 09.<br><br>
Intensebeet, have you checked out the "Smart Coach" at runners world? You can put in your current time in a race (which ever distance) and what distance you are training for and how long you want to train and it will build you a program. I think I might try that after the 10k training. They also have an option for "maintenance" so you could do that if you aren't training for something specific but really need a plan of some sort to stick to like I do.

 

[intensebeet]

Awesome! Thanks Birdie, that looks like a great tool to base something off of.<br><br>
Right now I'm debating if a 20+ mile backpacking trip this weekend is worth missing my last long run before my 10k next weekend....and also how sore my legs will be afterwards. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Gingerbread]

Ah, heck!<br><br>
I didn't realize I didn't post in this thread at all last week.<br><br>
Y'all have been doing great! My offer of the HM training schedule stands for anyone who wants something that gets them past the 10K and 15K mark.<br><br>
I ran 8 miles on Friday afternoon. Took me 1 hour 27 minutes (with a bit of walking, but only a little).<br><br>
chosha, are you back at it?<br><br>
Beetie, what did you do this weekend?<br><br>
Birdie, I'm glad I don't have to run in Florida, too hot for me!<br><br>
I'm going to check out the Smart Coach, too <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Birdie]

Hey guys! How is everyone...it has been a bit slow around this thread. I officially adapted the Smart Coach 5k running plan on Runner's World this week instead of continuing on with the 10k program. I am pretty sure I will still be ready to do the 10k if I choose since the mileage will actually be higher per week and long runs the same as the 10k program. The biggest difference is the speed work...which I was really interested in getting into. The 10k race offers a 5k event too so I might just opt for it instead....it is still a month out so I will see how I feel.<br><br>
The 5 mile long run last week in my 10k training was surprisingly easy. I guess running the distance as a race before taking it as a long run would make it seem that way. I am all geeked up for a 6 mile long run this weekend...my longest run to date!<br><br>
Can't wait to hear from the rest of you guys.

 

[intensebeet]

I wound up going on the backpacking trip after all, had a fabulous time and caught up with friends that I hadn't seen in a while. Wound up with a few blisters, hiking in sand even on a flat surface was a little tougher than I had accounted for. I'm glad I did go on the trip as I wound up missing my 10k this past weekend. Turns out that this past weekend was my brother's final high school musical performance. He's done every show they've put on all through junior and high school and I've only ever been able to go to a couple of them and my mom really wanted me to be there. I tried to figure out a way to both be 4 hours away in NJ and running a race here in NY at the same time and couldn't so I went with the family obligation instead. I'm glad I did, there are plenty of other 10k's (even if the weather was absolutely gorgeous that day) and the musical was hilarious, my brother was amazing and he was happy I was there. Oh well. Time to find a new training plan and another race.

 

[Gingerbread]

Ah, see now you have time to train even more!

 

[chosha2002]

VRAA kinda took me away from this thread for a while and I'm kinda glad it's over. I wasn't as into it this time. I don't know why. I think I'll sit the next round out.<br><br>
Hey Birdie - I finished the 10K program and am repeating the last four weeks. I've timed it so that the last week coincides with my 10K perfectly. GL w/the speed work! How did your 6miler go?<br><br>
GB - Oh Yeah and feeling significantly better. No more sickies. I did another 7 mile run last Sat. This week is a 6 miler, but an easier running week. I'm very interested in your 1/2M. I'll PM you my email address. I don't remember if I did or not.<br><br>
Intensebeet - WTG on the hiking. Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[Birdie]

glad to hear back from you chosha...i was starting to worry. I am really liking the runnersworld training program. I am finishing up week 2 tomorrow. The speed work is nice cause I can really tell I am getting a great workout. Right now I am doing it on the treadmill so I can make sure I keep the quick paces required. But soon I will be out on the roads doing them because I have a Garmin Forerunner on the way! Dh asked if I wanted to do the NCAA pool at his office and I ended up winning. I decided to use my winnings for something fun. I can't wait to get it next week. I ended up not doing a 6 mile last week because I did a race instead. I ran in the pouring rain for the whole race and was 8 seconds slower than my last 5k time. So, not only did I hit the point where not every race is a PR but I also missed placing in my age group by 4 seconds. If I would have had one more tenth of a mile I could have caught her....so I have been pretty down the last week with my running. I joined the local road runner's club and am going to meet up with them for their sunday long run tomorrow to see if that helps me out more. Hope everyone has a great weekend....oh and just for intensebeet...<span style="color:#FF0000;">GO WINGS!</span> <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

 

[Gingerbread]

Shouldn't we have had a week 12? <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
I didn't run as much this past week since I was traveling a lot (driving many hours) but got my 10 mile run in yesterday (Saturday) as well as two other runs 6.4 and 6.8 miles on Wednesday and Thursday.<br><br>
I wasn't planning on doing the 10 yesterday (it was supposed to be cold and rainy) but the weather turned out to be good. I think this was part of the reason I didn't do as well as I think I could have. I hadn't planned my food and hydration as if I were going to run, so I think I was lacking in fluids. The lack was also contributed by a toilet running all night (we have a well) earlier in the week. I've been trying to not use as much water until it recovers somewhat. The week coming should be better.<br><br>
I was keeping cramps at bay at the end of the 10 miles, but overall didn't feel too bad. This coming week I'm slated for another 10 mile run as my long run. I hope I have company for this one.<br><br>
Birdie, I hope you like your Forerunner! That should be fun to play with and useful, too. Sorry about the race placement, but rain can mess things up if it's raining hard enough. The person ahead of you probably wanted to beat the person in front of her.<br><br>
Running clubs can be a great way to get some motivation and hear new thoughts and ideas that can help you meet your goals. I like joining my local club when they're running (not yet...too much snow, etc.) they meet up on Tuesday evenings for fun runs. Pick your distance; 2, 4 or 6 miles and state it when you finish. They keep track of your time and rank you with others in the club. I just do it for the company, as I'm no speedster <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Birdie]

So last night I ran a 5 mile tempo run...and I finished in the same time I race 5 miles last month. I was not winded at all at the end...I could have talked while running. I was wiped out and breathing hard at the end of my race. It is so nice to see some progress in my endurance. This weekend is a 7 mile long run...I am literally running to another city and back...that just sounds crazy!

 

[Gingerbread]

That's a nice way to see progress, Birdie!<br><br>
On my 10 mile run, a week and a half ago, I ran from my town to the next town and back. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> It makes it sound more impressive! How did the long run go for you?

 

[chosha2002]

Hey Birdie! How did that run go?

 

[Birdie]

It went well. I was surprised actually since the last 6 mile I did was rough. I finished just 10 seconds per mile faster than I was supposed to go...which is pretty close since I wasn't really able to check my pace very accurately during the run. I think I finished in 1 hour and 22 minutes. The runners world smart coach said to keep a 11:51 pace. It was super hot and sunny though and dh slept in again so I was out from 10-1130 so when I was done it was 85 degrees. I didn't have any water with me so I stopped half way at a school water fountain to get a drink. I really need to get a handheld water bottle thingy. I still can't decide if I am going to do the 10k or just do the 5k this weekend though....I feel like I could do a much better 5k right now than the long run. I am still trying out how to squeeze in the long run and the race this weekend....