8/8/11
6 miles easy / 57:50 / 9:38 avg pace
Sunday’s tempo run was downright ugly. I was supposed to do 1 mile easy and 10 miles at MP (8:35). I’ve been doing my tempo runs each week on a trail since my marathon has 12 miles of towpath. All week I kept thinking how good of a practice tempo this would be…really mimicking race day terrain and pace.
The result? An ugly tempo. I ended up with 10 miles total – 1 mile warm-up, 6 miles at MP, and 3 miles cool-down. The only highlight was my MP miles – a complete disaster in terms of consistency – but all at or under MP: 8:09, 8:17, 8:27, 8:09, 8:32, 8:33.
How did this run go from having great potential to ugly? It makes total sense now…
- It was ungodly humid…repeat ungodly humid.
- I was dehydrated. Matt and I were out and about all day Saturday and I wasn’t drinking enough water. Then we went to dinner and I had a few beers 🙂 The beers tasted especially good, since I was so thirsty!
- I didn’t bring any salt caps with me.
- I didn’t sleep much on Saturday night. We finally watched Paranormal Activity and I was terrified. I slept with one eye opened.
- So…I was tired. And mentally I just wasn’t there. I really wanted to be back in bed sleeping.
Do you like scary movies? I like them and then regret watching them all the time. Paranormal Activity was scary but still doesn’t top The Exorcist. That is hands-down the most terrifying movie I have ever seen.
hate scary movies and humid runs, love your dog 🙂
I think running on gravel is tough! My 50 mile race has 27 miles on a gravel tow path, so I feel your pain about trying to maintain a good pace on that footing (and not get rocks in your shoe!)
Don’t stop with the pictures. I can never get enough. Sorry about the humid run. I know that has to be rough. I’m looking at training plans (I’m planning to register for Philly Half today…). I’m hoping that we’ll get some cool weather soon…
BTW, Hawk is such a cutie!!!
i am sorry that you didn’t have the best tempo run. they can be really tough if you’re not feeling “on.”
i am NOT a fan of scary movies!
I’m the same way! I LOVE scary movies, but I end up regretting it once it comes time to hit the hay. My family (little kids included) almost always watches at scary movie when we get together…that makes it easier to watch.
I agree! I could have never watched it alone.
Not a huge fan of scary movies— depends on the level of scary. I like something with suspense, but not where I’m afriad for my life after I leave.
Hey, I still think doing 6 at MP is great! Esp if some of the miles were way under MP! And doing anything like that in these conditions (I assume Philly is as hot and humid as NYC) is FAB!
that is definitely a recipe for a tough run! But nice work being at or below MP! I absolutely cannot watch scary movies – I wouldn’t be able to sleep for weeks and week. Total wimp right here 🙂
love that you took your pup out with you! and scary movies…NO THANKS. i would have been the same way…up all night! the exorcist = the worst movie for me ever. i was terrified! your LR was amazing this week!!!! can’t believe you are so close to taper time!
Well, you know how my “long” run went this weekend, so let’s move on.
Scary movies are the best! Watch “The Strangers” or the cinema CUH-LASSIC called House of Wax which really does show Paris Hilton taking a metal spear type thing through the head. THROUGH. THE. HEAD. Really? What more do you want in life, but to witness that bunch of happy?
Also, if you do not get the perfection that is the Scream trilogy, well then you are just dead to me. DEAD TO ME, I SAY.
Ha! I loved “The Strangers”…so unexpectedly good!!!!
Every time I THINK it seems like a good idea to watch a scary movie I end up regretting it. Sorry you had a bad run, I understand how frustrating it is! But, just like you said, I know you can do it! Can’t believe the race is only two weeks away! Happy birthday, Matt!