So I have the Big Sur International Marathon on April 28th and the M2B Marathon on May 26th. They are four weeks apart. I would love to PR at M2B in Ojai, which would mean breaking 3:40.
One of my favorite races, the 18-miler at the East Bay Mermaid Run, is right in the middle. Originally, I had my big goal of PR-ing at the marathon at the end of May, so decided against the 18-miler.
I was advised by Misty that if I was able to just run it and not race it, that I should sign up. This would prevent me from burning out completely by the time I raced in Ojai.
I knew I would not be able to do that, so I decided against signing up for it.
And then… I changed my mind recently.
I couldn’t help myself:
That’s right. I registered for this year’s Mermaid Run (Sirena 18). It’s just cool that there aren’t many 18-mile races out there. I figure that since there are plenty during the year that are 26.2 miles, and pretty much only this one that is 18 miles, I’ll go for it.
Plus, I got 5th place overall the first time I ran it…
and 3rd place overall last year (1st in age division):
^And my running friend Tammy got second place overall!
This race has been good to me. Even if I don’t actually place, I think it will still be a good long run before the full marathon that follows two weeks later. It would actually be better if I didn’t RACE and just RAN it… but I don’t know if I’ll be able to have enough discipline and self-control to do that.
I’ll just be praying super hard that I won’t be regretting this decision because of overuse injury or some other crap… or having to say useless phrases like “Hindsight is 20/20”.
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I did a very difficult tempo run yesterday. My marathon training plan asked for “2 mi w/u, 5 mile tempo, 2 mile c/d”.
Okaaaaaaayyy….
I didn’t know if I was capable of that. I figured if 5 miles turned into 4, then that would be good enough.
Warm-up: 2 miles, 8:34 pace
Tempo: 2.5 miles, 7:30 pace. 2.5 miles 7:24 pace (last quarter mile sped up to 7:13 pace because I just wanted it to be over and done).
Cooldown: 2 miles, ranging from 8:20 to 8:00 pace (again, because I wanted this crap to be over).
The faster you run, the sooner you’re done.
Hey. DID I JUST MAKE UP A CATCHY PHRASE? Nah. I’m sure someone else has said that before.
Anyways, that’s pretty much what I was thinking as soon as I started the tempo miles. I’ve NEVER done 5 miles at tempo pace (which according to mcmillanrunning.com should be around 7:20-7:36 pace).
So there you have it. 9.0 miles in 71 minutes. Five mile tempo completed. Not too shabby.
And, of course, I did 9 minutes on the spin bike, just so I could cool down even more and use my leg muscles differently. I don’t know if it actually helps, but I have been doing that these days and I like it.
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Throughout the day yesterday, I felt drained. My legs weren’t tired or sore, but I just had an overall sense of fatigue, like I’m walking around on an empty tank.
This is when I need to make sure I get enough rest and SLEEP. Last time, I had a pretty high mileage week (because I was trying to break 50 miles in one week) and I got sick. Right before Vegas. That was so much fun.
So to be smart, I went to bed at 9:00 pm or so, did some reading, and slept for like… ten hours, I slept ten hours on Wednesday night, too. I just hope that’s not how much body actually requires. Otherwise, I wouldn’t really be able to get much done.
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Today’s plan? Class, do a lower body workout, go to praise practice, and Bible study.
What are your plans for this gorgeous Friday?
[*Edited to add]:
I am featured on fitblogger today :D! I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story with a wider audience. Hope connect with more readers and all work together to be healthy in mind, body and Spirit!
Oh my goshhhhh. Reading your blogs make me feel so tired! Be careful. Injuries are not coo.
HAHAHA! Well when you come home, you can go running and working out with me, yeah? 😀
Wow, I am so inspired by how fast you run! Thank you for encouraging us all. I think it is great that you are so dedicated and love to race! 🙂 Good luck in all three of your races!
Wow. You are SO fast! I am so inspired by you and your love of racing. I think it is great! Keep up the great work!
Thank you, thank you. I never really attempted to push myself to run faster until more recently. I was always scared of failure, but found that I don’t really have much to lose 🙂
I totally agree! God have given you a healthy fit body to push yourself! Go get it girl!
I have no self control either. I always want to sign up for races! And then when I do and decide I’m going to just run, that competitive edge kicks in and all I want to do is win!!!
Hahaha glad I’m not the only one who goes through this. Good luck on all your races!
Thank you!
I’m sure you can use the 18 miler in the training plan effectively.
That’s always been my running motto 🙂 …”the faster you run, the sooner you’re done” …although it doesn’t always work that easy does it.
Yeah, totally not that easy, haha.