"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark." Muhammad Ali ;)
This week has been very busy and I was feeling quite tired by mid-week. Wednesday evening, as I was coming home from work, it was still light out and I decided to go for my missed tempo run. I have to admit that it was really hard to "just do it" and very tempting to "just relax" at that point. So, the minute I walked in the door, I went and got changed and headed out the door before I could change my mind. I did it and was very pleased. Then Thursday night was my running group. I swear I felt like closing my eyes as I was driving over to the Running Room store. Once there, we had our clinic and then headed out for an 8K steady run. I started out feeling okay and it was nice because I chatted with Laurence throughout our run. But, after about 6K I was feeling sort of dizzy, so we slowed down a bit. Thankfully, it passed and by 7K, I was doing better and once again, I did it. Still, I was exhausted when I got home.
Friday was a rest day and I was feeling tired all day. I was extra careful with my meals and snacks, just in case...and bedtime was no later than 10pm. I was a little worried because Sunday was our 20K (12.4 miles) and I'd never gone that far before.
Saturday, we had a 25th wedding anniversary celebration to attend and didn't get home until 11:30pm and to bed by midnight! Yikes!
Sunday is here and I was looking forward to running our 20K...I was excited to see how it would go. I started my day with a big breakfast - Half a banana; a sesame seed bagel with almond butter; a hard boiled egg; and orange juice. Then I got ready, managed to go to the washroom before the run (yes!), got dressed, a little body glide here and there and I was ready. What was missing was my Garmin, which I allowed uber hubby to wear today. Sigh. I missed my Garmin. I wore the cardio-monitor instead so I could have an idea of the time and to do my 10/1.
Before 20K
The weather was perfect, with a nice breeze...and I felt good! I did not have to stop for anything. Everything went smoothly. I ran using the 10/1 method and it certainly didn't slow me down...despite, a cramp on my right side near the end of the run (I walked it off and then was okay). Total time on the cardio-monitor was 2h10m! I kept asking uber hubby if he was sure we did 20K...I couldn't believe I ran it in that time and I know I could have kept on going...yes!
After 20K
This didn't just happen because I wished it...I worked hard to be where I'm at and I'm really proud of myself. I've been quite disciplined with completing most runs on my training schedule, plus some yoga, strength and core work. Now, I can't wait for race day to get here! I'm feeling very encouraged and ready for my first half-marathon in two weeks (that's 13 days, 10 hours, 45 minutes) but who's counting. :)
I hope you all had a great weekend!
Cheers!
28 comments:
Congrats!! That's so great, you are living your dream! Keep up the excellent work!
Yes you did! and it feels so good! yeah! so great;-)
and now I see your ticker reading 13 days til your half...cool
That deserves a high five!
You have the look of satisfaction on that last picture. You are ready to take on that half marathon!
Great run!! You are so ready for your half!
Good for you - so glad your big long run went well, you are definitely ready! I know what you mean about being tired - I have been exhausted since last week. I think it is normal what with the last weeks of training and the higher mileage. Was this your last and longest run before race day?
Congrats! Less than two weeks to go and you're ready to run the half. Your hard work is definitely paying off. It's fantastic that you ran as well as you did despite your busy schedule. Nice that "uber hubby" ran with you too. Have a great week.
Congrats! You have worked hard. Which day is your half? I'm racing on Sunday of that weekend. Next week I get to shorten my run!! You must be so happy you did so well!
It sure sounds like you are ready Anne!! Way to go on that 20K! You are going to rock your half marathon:) Great pictures...you look great!
You totally rocked that 20K for what a tiring week you had! I am super excited about your half marathon!
That's fantastic! You are ready for sure! You look so fresh in that after 20km pic.
The "BIG DAY" is near Anne and you're definitely ready :) Nice job on your last long run! Great pictures, they show that you are well.
You are going to do so well Anne! Congrats on all you have accomplished! And you look just as fab after the 20K as before!
Oh I'm so excited for you! You look so cute and you're a hard core runner! 20K. Man. And I do like the Fuel Belt. I think I need one. My icky run yesterday must have been a fuel/hydration problem. I want to run like you!!!
Laura
Great job on the 20k! You look awesome and so happy. You are going to rock the half marathon.
That is a great accomplishment. Apropos of your statement about the hard work, it reminds me of a quote by Jesse Owens -- "we all have dreams, but it takes hard work and sacrifice to make those dreams come true." SO well done.
Wow! Major props girl. That's awesome. Especially that you felt you could have kept running. That is key! Plus it was after a tough week. Your gonna do so awesome!! Way to be.
I just read your race report!! CONGRATULATIONS. That is beyond awesome. You already have so much maturity as a runner. It's taken me years to get to this point. What a special day indeed!
:-D Great post and great run! Keep up the good work! Cute outfit as always too, I think I need to take some style tips from you I always look missmatched when I run hehe
You and Muhammad Ali = Fast! Congrats
Well done! Excellent time on the 20. You are definitely ready for your half.
What a great run and you look just as good after the run as you did before.
20K is SO awesome! What a great accomplishment! I'm so proud of you and all you've done. I know you're going to kick it, and I look forward to hearing how much FUN you have running that Half Marathon!!!
Girl, you look good for just running your 20K! I love that skirt; you are such a skinny little thing!
You are going to kick some booty, I just know it!
Oh honey you are so ready! Way to rock that 20k! My yoga instructor just told us yesterday that anytime we get a cramp running or doing anything it's because we're not breathing fully. I thought it was hydration but something to think about.
You look beautiful in your skirt!
Now you are ready for the ultimate fight! You look good and relaxed, the right spirit for a wonderful performance.
Excellent run, girl! You're so ready for your half! I love that outfit, btw, and you look awesome!!
CONGRATS!! You'll do good in your half. You looked as good when you started and when you finished......I never could do that.
You are livin the dream, Anne. Livin the dream...
You are so ready:)
BTW, you are such a TINY little thing!!! Didn't realize that before:)
Post a Comment