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Lehigh Valley Marathon: Week 3 Recap

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6/21/11
8 miles tempo / 1:10 / 8:45 avg pace
*2 miles easy, 4 miles at 8:00 pace, 2 miles easy 

Last week was a little rough. I was sick on Monday which threw my schedule off. As a result, I had to run Tuesday through Friday…with Friday being 17 miles. Ugh, my legs were feeling it. I generally like to take the day before a long run as a rest day, but that’s not always possible. I did manage to eek out 45 miles for the week though!

MON:  sick
TUE:  7 miles speed
WED:  8 miles easy
THU:  5 miles easy
FRI:  17 miles
SAT:  rest
SUN:  8 miles tempo

I have a similar problem this week since I’ll be down the shore over the weekend (leaving Friday!). I’ll be doing 20 miles on Friday and then recovering by dancing and drinking large amounts of beer. I’ll let you know how that goes!

Lehigh Valley Marathon: Week 2 Recap

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6/14/11

7 miles speed

Back to the track this morning!  After laying around on the couch sick for 2 days, I wasn’t sure how this speed session was going to go.  On my schedule was a ladder workout, where I get slightly faster with each interval.  The 1.5 mile warm-up was interesting.  I felt like an old lady dusting off the cobwebs on my joints.  I decided to not worry about pace today and instead just keep myself in the no talk/5K zone for each interval (knowing full well that my pace today wouldn’t be consistent with my normal 5K pace).

1200m at 7:06 pace* — 7:09 actual; not too shabby!
1000m at 7:00 pace* — 7:07 actual
800m at 6:58 pace* — 7:26 actual; that was ugly and really slow
600m at 6:55 pace* — 7:23 actual; clearly I’m tired
400m at 6:50 pace* — 6:44 actual; did that just happen?!  I actually beat my time?!  Maybe there is some sprinter in me after all!
1.5 mile cool-down
*400m rest between each interval

LVM Week 2 Recap
MON:  7 miles tempo
TUE:  6 miles with hill repeats + 1 hour strength training class (yeah!)
WED:  5 miles easy
THU:  8 miles easy
FRI:  yoga FAIL.  Got stuck working through lunch and never made it to the class.
SAT:  15 miles
SUN:  rest/sick/bummed knee

A total of 41 miles for the week.  I love the increased mileage and running 5 days a week.  Also happy that I ventured out of my comfort zone for a ST class.

Weekend Fun + Week 1 Recap

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6/6/11
7 miles tempo / 1:01 / 8:43 avg pace
1 mile easy, 5 miles at 8:35 (MP), 1 mile easy

Date day/night with Hawk was fun.  First up was a stop at Kelly Drive.

Yes, I really am this un-tan.  It’s not the camera flash.

Mr. Hawk seemed to enjoy himself.

Next we strolled around Philly and got some drinks.  Guess who we bumped into?  Mayor Nutter (a.k.a., mayor of Philly)!  He was checking out a menu with 2 other people (staff?).  Matt and I were across the street and one of his staff noticed I was holding my camera and waived us over for a picture.  Mayor Nutter is always present at all the Philly races so it was nice to meet him in person.  Of course, Hawk got in on the picture.

The rest of the day went unpictured:  dinner, trying to find a patch of grass for Hawk to use as a toilet, sleeping in, and brunch (pancakes for me, french toast for Matt).

Lehigh Valley Marathon – Week 1 Recap
MON:  5K + 1.5 mi warm-up
TUE:  8 mi tempo
WED:  rest
THU:  8 mi easy
FRI:  5.4 mi easy
SAT:  13 mi long
SUN:  rest

A total of 39 miles for the week.  Overall, I’m happy with how the week went.  I got some hill training in and did my tempo run on a trail.  I also like how I’m starting out at 39 miles, considering last cycle I maxed out at 43 miles 🙂  Fun, fun!

How was your weekend?  Any good races or training runs?  Are you tapering or just starting up like me?

Looking Ahead

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So that Boston itch remains UNscratched.  What next?  Funny you should ask…

Two weeks ago Matt put the idea in my head to search around for another marathon prior to September (when Boston 2012 registration opens up).  This way I wouldn’t have so much pressure to BQ at the NJ Marathon (especially since I didn’t train to BQ).  I told you he was my biggest cheerleader and supporter.

After Sunday’s race, I didn’t think I was mentally up for doing this again.  But a changed perspective has me thinking that if I don’t go for it again, I will regret it.

I found a somewhat local marathon on September 11th, the day before Boston 2012 registration opens.  I had to laugh because their FAQs clearly state:

Per the Boston Athletic Association: A qualifying race run on September 11, 2011 can be used to register for the Boston Marathon as soon as September 12, 2011.  The Boston Athletic Association verifies races online through our Results page.

Well, that’s all I need to know.  So I’m in!  Sign me up 🙂

This actually works out well time-wise for me.  I get to take a brief break, go to Ireland, and not worry about training (this makes Matt  very happy).  Then when I get back I will still have a full 15 weeks to train.  And you bet I’ll be training to BQ this time around!