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An Ugly Tempo

August 8, 2011 by Kristy 14 Comments

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.
I can’t be too upset.  My long run was pretty much done at MP pace on Friday.  So I know I cando it.  I’m dropping back a few miles this week so I can rest up for my final 2 weeks before taper time!Let’s end on a positive note.  We ended up going out for Matt’s birthday on Saturday night.  We went to a very causal place so we could sit outside with Hawk.

Hawk enjoyed some ice cubes
Birthday boy
Enough with the pictures
Put me down and let me get back to my ice cubes

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.  

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: birthday, FIRST training plan, marathon pace, tempo run, via lehigh valley marathon

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holly @ Pink-Runner.com says

    August 8, 2011 at 6:58 am

    hate scary movies and humid runs, love your dog 🙂

    Reply
  2. Kara says

    August 8, 2011 at 8:47 am

    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!)

    Reply
  3. RAS says

    August 8, 2011 at 9:55 am

    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!!!

    Reply
  4. Jen says

    August 8, 2011 at 11:49 am

    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!

    Reply
  5. runningismagical says

    August 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Kristy says

      August 8, 2011 at 1:00 pm

      I agree! I could have never watched it alone.

      Reply
  6. thethinksicanthink says

    August 8, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    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!

    Reply
  7. mealsformiles says

    August 8, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  8. Julia says

    August 8, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    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!

    Reply
  9. Elizabeth says

    August 8, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Kristy says

      August 8, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      Ha! I loved “The Strangers”…so unexpectedly good!!!!

      Reply
  10. Alyssa says

    August 9, 2011 at 7:45 am

    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!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Running Etiquette « Run The Long Road says:
    August 9, 2011 at 7:33 am

    […] An Ugly Tempo […]

    Reply
  2. Three Things Tuesday « Run The Long Road says:
    August 16, 2011 at 9:11 am

    […] Tempo This morning I got a second chance to do a tempo run that I attempted 2 weeks ago. It didn’t go so well the first time but I was able to get some redemption today. The trail was soft and mushy from all the rain, which […]

    Reply

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