Run #208: 3M Half Marathon

Yesterday I did half marathon #2! It was so fun. You can read the full race report on my other blog.

13.1 miles, 2:19:17 (10:37/mile, wooo hooo!)

Run #207

Great run in the cool darkness! I experimented with a 6 minute run/1 minute walk ratio. It slowed me down. Looks like 5/1 or 4/1 are better for me at this distance. Still, glad to feel good on my last pre-half-marathon run! My half is on Sunday morning, and it looks like the temps will be perfect...if it will only stay dry (30% chance of rain)!

3.1 miles, 32:29 (10:28/mile)

Run #206

What a great run! It was sunny and warm (for winter). My body felt good--just what I needed. My allergies have been really annoying me but after running for awhile I actually felt much better than I did before the run. Only 2 runs this week...glad they were both good ones!

2nd official half marathon is in 8 days, so it's time to start tapering.

8.33 miles, 1:36:01 (11:31/mile)

No marathon for me (at least not now)

I wrote on my other blog today about why I've chosen not to train for a marathon, at least not now...and why "half" is complete! Read about it here.

Run #205

Long run, with drizzle or sprinkles the whole way. But it was in the 40s and I was warm enough. Overall, a good run. IT band tightened up near the end and I had to stop and stretch a lot. But then it loosened up again and I was able to finish strong.

10.65 miles, 2:07:23 (11:57/mile)

Run #204

The temp was about at the freezing point (cold for this area!) I bundled up, so I felt pretty warm, but it took me awhile to feel like my body could get loosened up. My upper body was actually overdressed. (I tend to forget how warm the fleece is that I was wearing--it's the liner of a ski jacket!) My toes were the only part that got pretty cold--even with toesocks on. Vibrams keep the toes separated...which means colder. Anyway, it was a very good, if slow, run.

4.83 miles, 55:26 (11:28/mile)

Run #203

This was a great run with my almost-5-year-old! We did a 2 minute running/1 minute walking strategy, which worked really well for her. It was a good, easy run for me--I'm still feeling the effects of Saturday's long run. It's fun to run with my girl!

Oh, and...dang, it's COLD out there. 34 degrees/30 degree windchill, which is cold for our warm city!

1.66 miles, 28:32 (17:11/mile)

Run #202

I was in the mood for a long run. I didn't plan a route, but had 10-ish miles in mind, assuming my body cooperated. But it was going so well, I decided to extend it. I was THRILLED when I came back and mapped it...a little longer than a half marathon, at a pace over 30 sec/mile faster than my race pace was!

The run/walk strategy really works for me. I did a 4 minute run/1 minute walk ratio, and I think that's a good ratio for me for long runs. I did stretch my IT band several times during walk breaks. It held up really well, getting quite a bit tighter at the end, but never cramping up. Overall, my body felt really good during the run, though I was very tired at the end. I'm definitely not fit enough for a half marathon to be "no big deal" yet...and despite my ice bath, I'll be sore tomorrow too!

13.31 miles, 2:28:46 (11:10/mile!)

Run #201

I didn't get to run early, so instead I put Zoodle (almost 3 yrs) in the jogging stroller and took Chickie (almost 5 yrs) along for the run. She had a hard time--we've never gone this far before--but I was so proud! She rode in the stroller about half a mile in the middle, but the rest of the time she ran and walked. She said she never wants to go that far again!

It's a lot harder running with the stroller (especially that half mile with BOTH kids)--all the resistance, plus the altered running form. I won't do it often, but it was a good change today--and a good way to get in my workout and spend time with the kids.

3.1 miles, 47:45 (15:24/mile)--This is actually a great pace for Chickie, and it was fast enough to give me a good cardio workout with the added resistance of the stroller.

Run #200! Also, Nathan Trek Holster water bottle waistpack review.

Wow...run #200!

I'm not sure on my distance--it MAY have been a little further than I recorded, but I couldn't remember exactly what route I took when I came back to map it! Anyway, I needed this run. I've been so frustrated with the IT band stuff.

I took some good advice my dad gave and used a lot of my "walk breaks" to stretch, since that actually seems to help the IT band. (He actually suggested using the first walk break to stretch--but I stretched during most of my walk breaks today, because with the issues I've been having I wanted to be really sure I stayed loose.) And I ended up feeling so good that I lengthened my run (originally planned to run 30 minutes!) Hooray! As I got tighter near the end I decided to be cautious and come home...but I think my recovery from vacation is going great!

Quick review:



I used my new Nathan Trek Holster 22-ounce water bottle/waistpack today. It was a gift from my Daily Mile Secret Santa. The bottle is in the back, angled so it's easy to grab. In general I didn't find it as comfortable as my Camelbak hydration backpack since it doesn't spread the weight on as large of a square surface, but it was definitely comfy enough. I got to where I forgot it was there--and I remember that it took awhile to get used to my Camelbak, so I'll probably find this more comfortable as I wear it more. It bounced a little but that is actually a good cue to me, to have a less-bouncy stride.

What I did like is that the gear pocket in it is easier to get to than the ones in the Camelbak. Also I think it'll be great for summer, not having my back totally covered--and sometimes the straps on the Camelbak chafe me when I'm wearing sleeveless shirts, so the waistpack won't have that problem. I also appreciate that when I get home I can just take the bottle out and drink from it instead of carrying my backpack around the house to finish up my drink! And the colors (shown above, gray and light purple) are really pretty, definitely my style.

I'd feel comfortable wearing the Nathan if I'm walking around all day long, like if I'm visiting another city and doing the tourist thing. I think it stands out less than the Camelbak for non-running usage.

So the Nathan won't replace my Camelbak, but I'll switch back and forth between the two, depending on the situation. I'm glad to have it as another piece of running gear!

6.12 miles, 1:13:30 (12:00/mile)

Running recap 2010

I ran 590 miles in 2010! 2011's figures will include the walk breaks I take, but I'm still calling it all "running." I'll be excited to see what my mileage is this year!

Run #198 & Run #199 (Resolution Run 5K)

I ran one more time in Albuquerque with my dad, and again it was rough with my tight IT band...lots of walking. That was about 3.5 miles or so.

Today we had a Resolution Run 5K. My IT band is improving (lots of rolling!) but still not there. (I'm really mad at myself for letting my leg and glutes get so tight on vacation...hope it doesn't take too long to get it all worked out.) I had to walk a lot more than I wanted to but that meant I could push my speed that much more during the running segments, so my time was okay.

Happy New Year!!

3.1 miles, 31:03 (10:01/mile)