This past week was another doozy. Between grading midterms, attending an all-day diversity workshop, celebrating Mark's birthday, and Fur Rondy, running slipped down on my list of priorities. I have to admit that I'm considering switching from the full to the half in Vancouver, as the demands of higher mileage don't seem to be meshing well with other things (read: work) right now. But I'm putting off making the call at least until after I get back from San Diego. At any rate here's how last week went.
Monday - scheduled rest. Actual rest.
Tuesday - scheduled 4 miles easy. Actual 3.25 hills in my hood. My pace averaged out to 11:18. I probably should have sucked it up and got in the extra .75 mile, but I forgot it was garbage day when I headed out so I had to alter my route a bit as I went.
Wednesday - scheduled rest. Actual rest.
Thursday - scheduled 4 miles speed work. Actual 4 miles. I did 4 x 800 repeats with jogging recoveries. The pacer per mile averaged out to 9:47, and the good news was that I felt consistently strong through the last repeat.
Friday - scheduled 4 miles easy. Actual 20 minute walk. I spent all day at a professional development workshop and then took Mark out for a belated birthday dinner in the evening at Kinley's. Their blueberry lavender creme brulee is where it is at. That is all.
Saturday - scheduled yoga. Actual some walking around and the shortest race of my life. (See the Running of the Reindeer Race Report below.)
Sunday - scheduled 15 miles LSD. Going into this run I felt like I wanted a bit more of a taper for my upcoming half than 15 miles the Sunday before would give me so I decided to run 10 miles instead. My average pace worked out to 11:19 min/miles.
Total scheduled miles: 27
Actual miles: 17.35
Cross training workouts: 0
So what are my goals for Sunday's race in San Diego? My biggest concern is that the heat will have an impact on my performance, but there hasn't really been anything I can do about that here in Alaska. I will really only be able to get in one acclimating run before the race, but I'm hopeful that I can still have a solid performance. My goals are pretty simple:
A) Have fun! Enjoy running on a non-icy or non-treadmill surface and with lots of other enthusiastic runners!
B) Finish in 2:25 or under. Last year I ran three of my four slowest half marathons (all over 2:30), but I know that I have improvement in terms of speed in me still. This is my chance to establish a benchmark for future half marathons.
Wish me luck, dear readers!
Many well wishes to you on the SD Half! I understand the concern about the heat and adjusting when you have been in AK. Just make sure to hydrate well, maybe even some extra electrolyte drinking the day before to build up the stores. At least that is what Dathan Ritzenhein does (read that in Runners World) :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I know coming from Alaska probably changes your perception, but San Diego's weather looks to be perfect this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm really evaluating the BMO right now as well. In order to keep the mileage up, I've been ignoring some signals that are beginning to squeal a bit more loudly . . . we'll see.
ReplyDeleteThe Half , really, is such a nice distance -- I wish you much luck and lots of fun for your run this Sunday!
I know! 21K is my favorite distance for sure.
DeleteI hope you're able to decide about BMO from a healthy, non-squealy standpoint.
I'm sure you're going to do fabulously!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Like others have said, it shouldn't be "hot" in San Diego, but maybe it will feel that way for you?
ReplyDeleteHope that it's a great trip. Will you get to enjoy your time there too?
I objectively know that 60 F is not hot, but I think it will feel different to my body from running in the 10s, 20s, and 30s at the warmest for the past couple of months.
DeleteGood luck and have a fun race in San Diego! I love that city. And I think it was a good call to do 10 miles instead of 15--you'll have some more gas in the tank, so to speak, on fresher legs.
ReplyDeletePS I admire your ambition to run the full marathon in Vancouver but can COMPLETELY understand why the training is difficult to do when you have such a demanding academic schedule. I am sure you will know what to do when the time comes to make that decision.
Good luck and have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I don't think the heat should have too much impact on you, as it should only be in the 40s and 50s, I think.
ReplyDeleteWell the race has already come and gone as I am so behind on blog reading! But I hope you had a great race. I can see why you are considering stepping back to a half. I like the idea of running a spring or early summer marathon but I don't know if I am built to run in the winter... and by built I mean have the discipline to get my *ss out there in the cold and snow...
ReplyDelete