Finishing Touches Before Race Day

Friday night after work, I went to our local sports store with the intention of finally spending the gift certificate I've been hoarding since Christmas.  After much consideration, I decided that attempting to carry 4-5 GUs in my sports bra/shorts during the marathon was probably not my greatest idea.  I decided to pick up a SPIbelt.  I also picked up some of my fave GUs:  Espresso Love and Triberry.  As well as splurging on my absolutely FAVE Blueberry Pomegranate Roctane.  At $2.49 a piece, you know I gotta love these puppies because I'm CHEAP.

After putzing around all afternoon, I finally got myself drug out the door to do my final long run before the race--an easy 8 miler.  I decided to load up the SPIbelt with the 4 GUs I plan to carry on race day to make sure I could get it fitted properly today vs. next Sunday and figure out how the heck to wear it.

Initially I started out with the pouch on my backside.  After .1 miles I determined that was NOT going to work.  Junk in the trunk?  Um...ya, you could say that.  I adjusted the belt so the pouch was towards the back of my left hip and it seemed to sit just fine.  I also wore it low so the belt was on my waist band of my shorts in the front and just below in the back.  I'm going to make sure to body glide that area of my body very well so I don't have issues on race day.

But on to the run.  I decided to wear the Garmin, but not look at it for the run, with the exception of my mile times (I admit, sometimes I'm an obsessive Garmin watcher, typically on long runs and speed workouts).  I started the run at a very *VERY* easy pace, estimating in the range of 9:30-9:45.  Turns out the taper is doing marvelous things for my legs.  After the first two miles I consciously slowed down the pace, but the miles still flew by.

1. 9:02 2. 9:06 3. 9:25 4. 9:22 5. 9:30 6. 9:29 7. 9:33 8. 9:30

I did 8 miles in 1:15:01 for a pace of 9:22.

I did a lot of thinking about my grandma on this run.  My grandma was my bestest friend when I was little and she played a major role in raising me as a little tyke while my mom was working full time and my dad was going to school full time 2 hours away.  I've already decided to dedicate the final mile of my marathon to her (and to be honest I typically dedicate the final mile of my most major races to her).  She's a fab lady.  Seriously, I feel bad that you guys didn't get the fortune of meeting her. :)

Anyway, usually every spring I run a local race that supports breast cancer on this weekend.  My grandma passed away from cancer and this race typically falls on her birthday.  Unfortunately, because of the marathon next weekend, I opted not to run this race.  Instead this was my 8 mile run for my grandma.  Also, I noticed the other day that the pansies that were outside my apartment last fall had cropped up again and multiplied immensely.  Since they were my grandma's favorite flowers I decided to snap some photos and share them with you guys.  I'm tempted to safety pin one to my shoe for race day. :)

I just love that it looks like they have little faces. :)

Check out skinny runner's GU giveaway!!!

Ice Cream Taper? No way!

While my legs may be enjoying a taper from running, I'm definitely not tapering from ice cream consumption.  Does anyone else think I need to change my blog to Ice Cream Runner?  Geez...this is getting out of hand (and into my tummy...muhahahah.)  Of these 4 cartons (purchased on Sunday) I am 2/3 (at least) done with the strawberry cheesecake and the snickers.  Doing work, kids!

This morning I woke up early to head out for my tempo run that had been swapped from Tuesday.  I checked the weather per usual, and realized I needed to bundle up!  38 degrees, that's COLD.  I dug through some running clothes and found my light running jacket and gloves and was out the door.

I had 7 miles with 5 @ a tempo pace of 8:25.  Since it was cloudy/gloomy out, I didn't know how the garmin would fair (he tends to FREAK and tell me I'm running 11-12 mm when the clouds are out).  A half mile in to the warm up, I knew I had made the right decision with swapping out my runs, mid-run.  Especially during taper time, there's no sense pushing too much.  My legs felt great!

First two tempo miles were kind of all over the place as my body was searching to find that "groove."  Dare I say it, but shorter tempo runs are *hard*.  You have much less time to hit/find that magical pace.  At the turn around (3.5 miles) I decided to set my virtual partner on my garmin to 8:24 (apparently I've had BQ pace on my mind, and was oblivious to the 8:25 my training called for....silly brain :p).  This helped dramatically!  I was worried that the VP would be effected in the same way that my average pace display is when cloudy, but it was spot on.  Hence why my splits were a lot more consistent the second half.

I ended up with 7 miles in 1:00:21 for a pace of 8:38.  My tempo pace was 8:20.  Heck yes!  (P.S.  I can't WAIT to run a HM post-marathon to see if my legs have any legit speed left in them!!)
1. 9:30
2. 8:29
3. 8:15
4. 8:19
5. 8:23
6. 8:16
7. 9:06

Don't you just love how the cool down mile always feels sooooooo slooooooooow and ends up being at a pretty decent clip?  I sure do. :)

Now if you'll excuse me, there's a carton of ice cream yelling out my name.
Amanda at Run To The Finish is doing an awesome {shweaty, just my style!}giveaway.  Check it out!

Indecision is the Name of the Game

The good news is that I did my run with my clothes facing the correct way.  The bad news is that I was backwards.

What is with the weather on my speed work days?  I sent a text to my gym buddy to see if he was working tonight.  When he was I responded, "Sweet I'll be there.  Pretty sure the world is going to end mid tempo run.  I'd prefer to be inside."  It just looks dark and crummy out.

After running some errands pre-gym, I realized that the wind and general gloominess had passed so I decided to head home and do my run outdoors.  Within a half mile of my run, I realized my legs were t-i-r-e-d.  I had a 7 mile run with 5 miles at tempo pace of 8:25 to do.  I went back and forth about doing my easy run that was schedule for Thursdays instead.  I decided to give it a go.

At roughly the 1/2 mile point, my watch was saying I had ran about a ~9 mm.  Uh....ya, legs are definitely not feeling it.  I decided there that I would do my easy 5 on Tuesday and 7 mile tempo on Thursday.  Well of course, either my math was wrong, garmin was wrong, or distance measurement was wrong, because Mile #2 was 9:00 and that was after running 9:30+ mm for the 2nd 1/2 of the mile.  Sometimes we're too reliant on the watch and not enough on the body and mind, huh?  Oh well, I know my legs will be much fresher and happier doing the tempo run on Thursday.

I ended up doing 5 miles in 47:37 for a pace of 9:32

1. 9:33

2. 9:00
3. 9:42
4. 9:43
5. 9:37

Also, I joined DailyMile.com so if you're on there, look em up yo!  (Primarily because I don't know how to look you up, ya know?)

And in closing I'm going to leave you with some fun pictures from this weekend.

Bryce & I celebrating the birthday bash.  I joked that I always take good pics with him. Seriously 90% of my profile pics have him cropped out.  Thanks for making me photogenic Bizzle!

And another b&w style.

Miss Ariel and I.

Shoe twinsies.

Office hubby and I after a long hiatus (work conference for me and vacation for him).

April in Review + I'm Backwards Woman

April in Review

Total Miles: 180  which is up from 151 last month (compared to 71.02 in 2009 P.S. Who runs 71.02 miles?!??!?! Can you tell I had just got my Garmin at the end of the month.  Ha.). This breaks my current monthly record!!

Total Time: 27:49:32.  Holy cow.  (Last month was 23:35:49.)

Total Runs: 19 for an average of 9.47 miles/run.  (Last month was 8.88 miles/run).

Highest weekly mileage: 4/19/2010-4/25/2010 47 miles 7:16:08.  I had 3 weeks this month where I broke 40 miles and each week was a new higher mileage week.  Pretty B.A. fo sho.

Favorite run: My 2nd 20 miler.  This was my last major long run before taper time.  My 1st 20 miler was great, and I was concerned it was a fluke.  20 miler #2 has given me the confidence I need to make it through 26.2 on May 16th. 

Most hardcore run: My 8 mile tempo run that inadvertently turned into a 9 mile tempo run because my "cool down" mile was actually at tempo pace without realizing it.  Oops!

Favorite Race: none.  Sniffle sniffle.

Current Jams:  Old school Blink 182.
___________________________

Monday I had an easy 5 miler on the schedule.  5 miles?!?!?!  YIPPEE!  (clearly I'm loving all of these shorter runs that taper is allowing me.)  I decided to throw on an older pair of running shorts (a pair from target that I had previously cut the built in undies out of b/c they didn't fit right).  Of course I was wearing a pair of boy cut under armour running shorts to keep my cheeks in check.  <---Um...that was pretty witty.  Heh heh.

At the one mile-ish mark, I stopped to do my quick stretcheroo.  As I was stretching I checked the band of my shorts to make sure they were still double rolled (I prefer running in some shorty shorts) because they seemed to be hitting in a really low spot on my legs.  That's when I realized that my key pocket was off my left butt cheek.  Waaaaaaaaait a second?  Isn't that usually in the front right??  Uh.. yup.  Drawstring is definitely in the back, and if I wasn't wearing the under armour -roos I would be baring cheeks for all to see. 

I contemplated doing a quick switcheroo (really going all out with the -roo references in this post, no?) on the trail, but of course there were too many runners/bikers around so I kept going.  I literally spent the next 4 miles looking for a hidden part of the trail that I could fix my shorts on, but sadly never found it.  Instead I ran along the little kids' soccer practice looking like a ho fo sho.  Oy.

The first 2 1/2 miles were with the wind at my back, so of course the last 2 1/2 were into the wind.  I let my legs take a very easy pace, so that should tell you the amount of wind that's out there.  Lame.

I did 5 miles in 46:44 for a pace of 9:21.
1. 9:15

2. 9:11
3. 9:19
4. 9:31
5. 9:26
In case you missed it yesterday, the tracking site is up for the MARATHON!!!!  Send me an email at jerbearshares at gmail dot com if you want my bib number.  If you previous commented that you want it, please send me an email, because I don't know that blogger gives me the capability to respond back to you via email (or else it does, and I'm just a ding dong...whatevs...)http://www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon.com/race-day/track-your-runner

Last Long Run before GREEN BAY

Earlier this week I debated about switching my long run from Saturday to Friday.  This didn't really seem beneficial as far as my schedule was concerned (speed workout Wednesday, longer hilly run Thursday night, long run Friday afternoon), but given that Friday was the last day of the month, it didn't take much to twist my arm.  Also, the fact that the run was only 12 miles (you know you're in MARATHON TRAINING when 12 miles can be prefaced by "only" I swear my brain doesn't normally think this way) and I knew I could fit it in before dark.  Also, also! also, (I use also a lot, it's obnoxious, I'm sorry) it's my first long run since February 13th (yes I looked it up) that was less than a half marathon in distance.  Whooooooa.

When I got off work it was gorgeous out.  Sunny and cooler, breezy.  I threw a random mix of songs on my iPod and I was out the door.  I had planned to do the run at ~9:30 pace.  My right IT band always seems a bit sore after speed work and hilly runs (Wed and Thurs) so I tried to keep the pace easy.  Well we know how that goes for me.

The wind was pretty intense at my back for the first few miles, which means it was pretty intense to run into for the last few miles.  The good news was that I ran at an even effort throughout the whole 12 miles.  The miles that were lower than the average pace (with the exception of the final mile) were because of the wind at my back, the ones over are into the wind.  The miles that are exactly the same pace, were neutral miles.  Kind of interesting/entertaining.

1. 9:22
2. 8:55
3. 8:59
4. 9:05
5. 9:20
6. 9:20
7. 9:20
8. 9:26
9: 9:24
10. 9:29
11. 9:20
12. 8:59

I did 12 miles in 1:51:08 for a pace of 9:16.   1/3 of my splits were 9:20 pace.  Crazy.

My next double digit run will be my MARATHON!!!!!! 

After my run, I decided to see what my buddy BQ on his 1st try/Tri Guy (BQoh1t/TG) was up to, as we had been attempting to hang out to talk racing/training for a couple of weeks now.  He's notorious for going to bed at 10pm (even in college pre-endurance sport training, we'd always give him a hard time for) so I was surprised he was free and not snoozing already. :)  This guy is such an inspiration it's ridiculous.  He's doing his first full Ironman this summer, and it blows my mind.  Yes, I'm now intrigued by triathlons, which I knew would happen if we hung out, *AND* he's put the BQ bug in my brain.

I know I'm a fast enough runner to BQ, it's just a matter of when and putting in a ton of hard work to get my endurance there.  I previously had a goal of doing it by 30, but maybe we'll bump that up 1 to 2 years.  ;)  Maybe I should just get through marathon #1 first, huh?

ATTENTION:  Tracking is now up for the big day!!!!! http://www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon.com/race-day/track-your-runner Let me know if you want my bib number to track me.  Email me at jerbearshares at gmail dot com  Once I run you through the stalker/psycho/creeper detector, I will issue you the necessary information.  But seriously..... :)

Speedy Legs + Inspiration

Wednesday I had the dreaded 1600 m. intervals on the schedule.  Of course we were under a wind advisory, because that seems to be the name of the game lately.  I decided to head to the gym.  Speed workouts are actually kind of fun on the treadmill.  When I started the run I was shocked at how great my legs felt.  I seriously felt like I could've BQ'd if I had tried.  (Ok, not at all, but you get the idea.)  I hope my legs feel that fresh and great race day.  Wowsers!  My iPod decided to putz out and me after my warm up mile, so I chose to sing Blink 182 - Miss You over and over in my head during my repeats.  

I did 7 miles in 1:02:29 for a pace of 8:56.  Average interval pace was 7:47.

Warm Up	1 Mi	9:39	9:39	9:39
Interval	1 Mi	7:47	17:26	7:47
Recovery	0.5 Mi	5:29	22:55	10:58
Interval	1 Mi	7:48	30:43	7:48
Recovery	0.5 Mi	5:25	36:08	10:50
Interval	1 Mi	7:52	44:00	7:52
Recovery	0.5 Mi	5:26	49:26	10:52
Interval	1 Mi	7:44	57:10	7:44
Cool Down	0.5 Mi	5:13	1:02:23	10:26

The once hated 1600 m. repeats are now actually --dare I say it?-- fun.  Oy.  When did I become a distance runner?!?!?!?!

Thursday night I headed out for an easy 8 miler.  Since it was late and already dark when I headed out, I had to run a pretty hilly route to run through a super safe part of town.  My legs were feeling the speed workout from the night before.  I ran to my old apartment and ran an old route from a few years ago.  I love the area of town because it is super safe and there's almost zero traffic, so I don't have to worry about dodging cars.  About halfway through the run, it started to rain lightly.  I've said it before but I l-o-v-e running in warm rain.  It was seriously such a beautiful run.

I did 8 miles in 1:15:23 for a pace of 9:26.

I have a list of things I want to do/need to do in my spare time.  Last weekend I finally got around to doing one of the things in the "want to do" category:  my inspiration board!  Over the last year I've been putting my race bibs on my refrigerator post-race.  Well it's getting a bit full, so I wanted to do something with them but to display them a bit better.  Behold the board.  :)

I have all of the race bibs from every race I ran in that required a bib, including 3 from high school (bottom left corner 2000, middle bottom, and the GREEN one from the state track meet my senior year)! As you can see I've done quite a fit of the races multiple times.  I also included some fun inspirational words/quotes/sayings.

Some highlights/closeups:

My favorite bib because it A) has my name on it B) is not boring and WHITE and C) makes me look FAST because I was in corral A.  Haha.  Also, Race Like a Girl....you know it!

Pace band for 3:40.  Someday. :)

I've had this Green Bay Cellcom Marathon ad cut out of a Runners World magazine for 4 years (hence the super old logo).  

Run happy. :)  

Easy Run + Texas Ya'll!

Monday I had to wake up early to get my run in before taking off to Dallas for a work conference.  I was supposed to get in 8 easy miles, but a) it was atrocious weather out b) I didn't want to wake up before 7am (I normally get up at 7:30-7:40 for work, 7 is EARLY! :P) c) I'm really embracing the taper.  I decided 6 would be just dandy.

I put on capris, a long sleeve, and a jacket for the first time in a LONG time (thanks for being nice lately, SoDak weather).  I love running running in the rain.  It's actually my favorite weather to run in, however, I loathe running in the cold while it's raining and the wind is gusting.  When I reached the 3 mile turn around spot the wind smacked me in the face.  It was SO COLD.  (Once I got home, I realized the wind chill was 33 degrees; that explains it.)  I tried to fit my hands into my light jacket's sleeves, but they were beyond numb by the time I got home.  Also my legs felt like they were at least 1200 lbs. a piece.  Clearly the lactic acid was still a-chillin' post 20 miler.  Holy cow.  Oh well, heavy legs equate to the easy pace I *should be* running my easy runs at. :)

I did 6 miles in 58:50 for a pace of 9:49.

After rushing around to get ready and pack it was off to the airport.  I arrived at the airport *as* my flight was boarding (oops!) was the 2nd to last one to board.  Arrived for my connecting flight as my 2nd flight was boarding.  Of course it was in Chi-town so I had to run all over the airport.  Made it, had terrible turbulence and almost barfed on the plane, and finally arrived in Dallas. :)

My brother came and picked me up shortly after I checked into my hotel and brought me back to his place so I could see my little nephew.  Being the adorable 3 year old that he is, he had to show me how he could do EVERYTHING.  And I snapped a gazillion pics in the process. Enjoy.

We're #1 obvs.

My bro and Harrison. H is literally a mini-Keith.

We both smile showing *ALL* of our teeth.  Love it.

Brings new meaning to cheese, huh?

Had to play w/the editing on this one.  He's just so cute. :)