2 weeks, to the date 'til the race

Wow, it's already two weeks to my race. I'm psyched and scared at the same time.

I think my training will help me reach my goal this time. I think I will be able to a run the 1/2 in under 2 hours. Of course, I made a mistake in my training program. I downloaded a training program from Runner's World.com. The program was great, I think it will get me my goal. Because I didn't know when the race would be I picked a 16 week program that didn't really match my race date. So it was one week earlier. From the many books I have read I can probably fake it but I am a girl that likes to follow things not create my own program. If that makes sense.

I have done my last long run and I killed it. It was only 11 miles but if you can do 11 miles 2 more miles aren't going to kill you. I pushed it not as much as I will on race day but I least I know that I can.

So wish me luck, two weeks is coming really soon.

Kathy

Last Speedwork Run

Training Day: SpeedWork
Workout: 10 X 800 meters @ 3:45 w/ 400 meters cooldown
Actual Workout: 6 X 800 meters


Today was my last Speedwork!

Hurray!!!

God, I hate Speedwork.

I did 3 miles out of the 5 miles. I am actually very proud of myself even if I didn't do what I was suppose to do, I did what I could do. I can't tell you how happy I am that this part is done. I just have two Tempo Runs before the big day. Those I dislike as well. I can't seem to get pass 3 miles.

I am starting to get psyched for the race. So much so I have even started to look for my next race. I was thinking of doing a 10 K. I know it's strange that I started with such a long distance race and then decided to do a smaller distance race. The thing is I thought I could do my training and work at the same time. Unfortunately, for me my work schedule contains to much hours. At the least I can work for 10 hours a day at the most 16 hours. It gets really hard to wake up early in the morning to do your runs and neglect your much needed sleep.

So I think I will try a shorter distance this time. That way I am not putting in too much mileage. At least I hope so.

Wish me luck,
Kat

The Vacation Runner

So last week I was on vacation for a week. Despite being on vacation I tried to keep up my training. I was actually really proud of myself. Out of the 4 days I had to run I ran 3 which included my Tempo Run and my Long Run (10 miles).

It's amazing if you put your mind to it you can do anything you want. Of course, my boyfriend who was also on vacation with me wasn't very happy that I was keeping to the training schedule. But I had to choice. There is only three weeks until my half marathon. I have to do as much training as I possible can.

It was an especially hard Long Run that I lost my training partner. My boyfriend was going to run the 1/2 with me. It would have been a couples thing. From the on set he was plagued with running injures from bad knees to really bad blisters. My boyfriend is 6'2" and 235lbs and which most is muscle, he isn't built for running, this was politely said to him at the running store that we went to get him a better pair of running shoes. There was exactly 3 shoes that he could choose from. Even still he was plagued with huge blisters that went across him feet. He hasn't been able to do the Long Runs but he has always killed my butt in Tempo and Speedwork (for which I have stated before). He has yet to complete a Long Run without stopping and walking, the longest he had gone was 6 miles. I begged him to stop and that he didn't have to run the 1/2 with me but I guess it's a macho male thing and he continued despite the pain.

But this 10 mile run was the sinker. We were doing a hilly run that was mostly ups and the blisters and knee pain came two folds. So he decided to throw in the towel. Which I agreed to with a sigh of relief. It was getting hard to see him try to walk around after a really hard day. Also, on a selfish note, it meant I could train when I wanted to, early in the morning. My boyfriend was not an early person.

So I will be alone on the journey to finish my second 1/2. Wish me luck.

Kat

A Fuel Belt Is a Runner's Best Friend

Let me start off by singing the praise of Fuel Belt. I love love Fuel Belt! They first came to my attention when I saw Fergie from the Black Eye Peas (one of my favourite bands) pictured wearing one.

At first I didn't like the whole fanny pack look of it. Remember fanny packs people. God those things were ugly and I think some people are actually wearing it still. Despite the fanny pack look of them I have come to love my Fuel Belt. I know I get strange looks from people when I am heading off for my run but I honestly don't care. It keeps me hydrated and that's all I care about.

Yesterday , I went out for a run at 10:00am in the morning, yes I am totally insane. The sun was killing me. It was an easy run of 4 miles. I brought my Fuel Belt and kept myself hydrated. Of course, I learned from my past mistake. Once I ran a 4 miles in the boiling sun and didn't take any water because I thought it would be an easy run. Close to the half way point I thought I was going to pass out. I had to stop running and when I did I nearly fainted. From then I wear my Fuel Belt on even easy runs of 2 miles.

Despite the fact that they are expensive it remains one of my best buys for running. Along side my polar heart monitor and Nike + iPod Sport Kit.

It will be almost a month to my next marathon. Getting really excited.

'Til next post.
Kat