It Just Seems that I Dropped off the Face of the Earth

Wow, what a busy two months!! I did not run the Indianapolis Half....too many conflicts. I did run a practice half in 1:59:31, a 9:02 pace. So I know it is a possibility to run sub 2 hours officially. In mid November I ran the Step 'n Stride 10K in 53:14, an 8:35 pace. It was a personal record in the 10K for me. My goal for this year was to finish with a total of 2462 miles logged, which is the distance from New York City to Los Angeles as the crow flies. I would have to run nearly 100 miles this coming week to achieve that goal! Maybe in 2011!!!

Beautiful Half Marathon

Saturday was a gorgeous day for the race. It was 38 degrees at the start and sunshine. The race runs through Fort Harrison Park. The fall colors were incredible, an awesome gift from God. I did not meet my goal of going sub 2 hours, but I did better my time by 30 seconds compared to last year. This course is hilly and maybe I hadn't prepared well enough by running more hills. My time for 13.1 miles was 2:03:59, which is a 9:28 pace. Sunday I ran before church with Kim. We did 5 miles at a 9:15 pace. Today we did a long run together, 11 miles, 9:14 pace. I am sort of toying with the thought of running the Monumental Half in a little over two weeks. I really want the sub 2 hour time.

Packet Pick up and Expo

Excited about tomorrow! Weather will be excellent for the race. Ran 5 miles this morning at a 9:18 pace. Felt comfortable. Now off to the expo and packet pickup for the half marathon!

Two Days Left

Less than 48 hours until the half marathon. It will be in the mid to upper 30's and clear at the start of the race. Cold start, but I think it will warm up quickly. The high Saturday is to be 70. Today I ran with my friend Kim. We did a nice easy run of 7 miles at a 9:53 pace. Ready for Saturday!

Time To Taper

Well, really should have been tapering before now. The half marathon is this Saturday. On Monday I ran 19.5 miles with a friend who is training for a marathon in a few weeks, we did it in a 9:44 pace. Tuesday I ran 5 miles at a 9:04 pace. This morning, 9 miles at a 9:15 pace. Feeling good, but will back off to 7 miles tomorrow, and maybe 5 or 6 on Friday.

Busy Week, and some Fast Runs

Just 6 days until the half marathon. The weather looks like it will be cooperative, and I have hopes of running it sub 2 hours. If not, I know I'm in good shape for a fast time in the 10k I will be running in November. This past Monday I did a long run 14 miles at 9:39 pace. On Tuesday it was 6.7 miles at an 8:50 pace. Wednesday...easy...6 miles - 9:26 pace. Thursday, a fast (for me) 6 miles at an 8:33 pace. Friday, was 8.5 miles at an 8:57 pace, and then on to the Body Pump class. Saturday an easy 10.25 miles, 9:40 pace. Sunday 5.25 quick miles at an 8:41 pace.

Time Change Welcome

I will be glad when we have the time change in a couple of weeks. We will turn the clocks back one hour. That will mean it is daylight an hour earlier. It will make it easier to go out the door when it's cold if I can see the sun in the sky! I ran 6 miles at an 8:45 pace this morning before church. This run really gives me hope in my sub 2 hour goal for the half marathon coming up. To finish the half in less than two hours, I will have to hold a 9:08 pace or better for 13.1 miles.

5K Day

Friday I did 5 miles with my running buddy Kim at a 9:51 pace. Then we attended a "Body Pump" class. That involves an hour workout with a barbell. It is an intense workout. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve muscle tone and strength. Today I ran the Greenways of Greenwood 5K race. A perfect day for it, in the low 50's and cloudy. Ran the 5K (3.1 miles) in 25:57, an 8:22 pace. It was good enough to place first in my age group, women ages 45-49. Happy about that! The prize was a gift certificate to a local running store. That will definitely come in handy!

Still Thinking Marathon

These are some pictures my husband took at the Air Force Marathon.

This has been a great week to run. The morning temps have been 40's and 50's.

Monday I ran 14.1 miles at a easy 9:50 pace. Tuesday was a shorter run due to my tuesday morning bible study, 5.5 miles at a quicker 8:53 pace.

The bible study is called Bible Study Fellowship. It is an awesome way to be in the bible every day.....very in depth study. This year we are studying the book of Isaiah. The organization's website is http://www.bsfinternational.org/ You can find locations for studies all over the U.S. and in many other countries.

Wednesday....9 miles at a 9:30 pace.

Peace to All.

Tempo Run

Did a 3.8 mile tempo run this morning at an 8:41 pace. I feel good about the 5K this coming Saturday after completing this run. I had been doing so many long slow runs lately, it was good to feel some speed for a change.

Run for Fun

That is the best way to describe this past week.

Wednesday I ran 7 miles at a very easy 9:55 pace. Thursday, 8.2 miles at a little quicker pace of 9:39. Friday was 8.7 miles at an easy 9:54 pace. Today was my long run, 15 miles at a 9:32 pace.

I feel that after just doing a marathon, I am in good shape for the half marathon. My goal for the half marathon is to finish in under 2 hours. I think it's possible given the right weather conditions. I tend to run better in the 40's and 50's, so that is what I am hoping for.

I will most likely do some speed work Wednesday in preparation for Saturday's 5K.

Nice Recovery

Had a nice slow recovery run on Monday. It was six miles at a 9:50 pace. I was a little sore at the beginning but by the time I had warmed up the stiffness was gone. I never had to take any advil or other pain relievers after the marathon. That is the best for my body, so I am thankful for that. Followed up this morning with a 6 mile run at a 9:23 pace.

My 5K is in one and a half weeks, and the half marathon is in three and a half weeks. Tonight I will work on figuring out my training schedule for the next several weeks.

Awesome First Marathon

Just back from the Air Force Marathon. Can't wait to enter another......just loved it. Don't get me wrong, it was a difficult test, but finishing gives you a huge sense of accomplishment that is like no other.

Thank you to all who support me in my "addiction" to running. Especially to my husband, who comes to my races to cheer me on, gives me emotional support, is great about living with my running schedule day after day after day, and patiently listens to me talk about running a lot. I appreciate all that you do sweetheart. To my mom and my kids, and many close friends who have given me encouragement. To my Christian running girlfriends.... Johnnie, if you hadn't have shown up with that marathon training schedule when we met for a morning run back in June, or given me tons of encouragement and advice, I may not have believed in myself enough to run a marathon. Kim, your advice, support and prayers over the past few weeks were so incredibly helpful. Many thanks to you both. God has blessed me richly with so many supportive family members and friends. I give thanks for that every day.

My medal was presented to me by an Air Force officer. A very emotional moment.

I finished slower than I had expected. Heat and dehydration were dogging me the final 3 miles. A good portion of the course offered no shade. It was sunny and close to 80 at the finish. I drank at all but two of the water stops. It just wasn't enough.

3000 runners entered, and 2416 finished. I had hoped to finish in about 4 hours and 30 minutes. My official time was 4:52:15. In my division, Women 45-49, I finished 51 of 90. Of all women I finished 360 of 703. Overall I was 1513 of 2416.

I am now setting my sights on my next two races in October, a 5K, and a half marathon. I must admit though......in the back of my mind I am already thinking about which marathon to run in next. :-)

Taking it Easy

Okay.....I probably shouldn't be running today. My body and mind wanted it. Did 8 miles at a slow 9:48 pace. Will probably do a very short run tomorrow also. It seems like if I miss a day, my next run is 'sluggish', and I feel out of sinc. We shall see how this works out come Saturday morning!

Almost There

Feeling good about the marathon. Will be in the mid 50's at the start, high of 85. Heat later in the race may be a factor. Guess I will find out. Ran 8 miles today at a 9:10 pace.

Better Run

Today was a good, solid 7 mile run at a 9:15 pace. The positive thinking may have helped!

Not All Runs Are Great

Sometimes runs just seems to go on.......forever. Well, it wasn't quite that bad. With so many variables it is certainly difficult to know what causes your body to sometimes just not be able to pull it all together. You feel rough, the body is not hitting on all the cylinders. Hills may as well be mountains. Today was one of those runs. It was later and hotter today, and I didn't eat my perfect lunch yesterday. Maybe those things are to blame, but who really knows. I ran 9 miles today at a 9:37 pace. Very respectable, for me, but felt hard. My fastest 9 miles was a 9:15 pace. I am doing some positive thinking today, for a great run tomorrow!

Long Runner

Long runner was not a random choice for this blog. I was given that name by a friend who is half Cherokee. He came into the gym one day, and stood in front of the treadmill that I was pounding out the miles on and told me he had thought of my Cherokee name. I felt truly honored to have recieved it. I feel as though it is now my duty to live up to that name.

Perfect morning. Ran 6 miles at an 8:59 pace, watching the sunrise. All is well.

Another Day Closer

The Excitement Builds........
Rain early today made it impossible for me to have time to do a long slow run today.........not that it is on the schedule. I am listening intently to my body during each run so that I don't over train in this final week. Ran 6 miles this morning at an 8:57 pace. I will also be adding an extra 30 minutes to an hour to my sleep each night this week, and watching my diet. Premium fuel in = premium performance. Feeling good. :)

Countdown .......1 week to go

I am in the midst of what is supposed to be my taper for the marathon. The reduced mileage of the taper is difficult for me. I am use to running 50 - 70 miles a week. I should be running 35 miles this week but I have already run 53 miles with 2 days to go on this week's schedule. The runs 'feel' good. I have decided to just let my body be my guide at this point. I have confidence at this late stage of training that I will be able to easily finish my first marathon. I am relaxed about it. If for some reason I cannot finish, that will be okay too. I will learn and I will try again.

Because........

Running is such a salve for all. I feel completely free when I run. My mind is clear, and I do some exceptional thinking during my runs. My day goes better if I run. My running has an incredibly positive effect on my overall health......mentally and physically. I am at a loss to think of one negative aspect of my running "additiction". In all truthfullness that is what it is......an addiction. A positive one.

I run because I can. I am so thankful for that, along with all of the other blessings I have been given.

Life is good! :)

Never too Old.....

Well....my first day to blog. It is true, you are never too old to begin something new. Who would have guessed that I would take up running almost 2 years ago in my mid forties! My first run consisted of a couple of laps around the block. (After dark, so no one would see me.) It was more like run, walk, run, walk, run. I began adding more laps each night. That was followed in the next several weeks, and months by numerous aches, pains, and some old injuries complaining loudly. I guess the important thing is that I didn't give up. Eventually my body adapted to the new demands, for which I am very thankful. I kept adding more and more laps. After entering several 5K races and finishing in the top 3 in my age bracket, I trained for and ran a half marathon. Since then I have run 2 more half marathons and a couple of 10K races. It's not like me to leave it a that, of course. As fate would have it, I met this really wonderful friend, and now running and training buddy, Johnnie. She had already competed in a couple of marathons. One day before our run she arrived carrying a marathon training schedule. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CHALLENGES. (It could be that I am not quite 5 foot tall and used to having to prove myself.) I have some tenacity. I'm a little bit stubborn, or a lot depending on who you ask. I don't like to give up or in. So of course I said yes. We began our training that day with an 8 mile run. This blog will follow my training for the marathon this September and hopefully many more.