Double Digit (MILES) Fall Training

We survived our first double digit training run for the 2012 fall marathon training season.  

10 miles CONQUERED on July 21 at Lake Hefner!!!  

No. 2 for 2012

It's only February and it's almost time for another pair of running shoes.  Red Coyote finally received the new Brooks Ravenna 3 so I snatched up a pair in my size.  Let's face it, I'll need them very right after Little Rock anyway so I may as well start breaking them in a bit during the week so they'll be ready for the long runs.  I wonder how many pairs of shoes I'll go through this year?  

Marathon training is expensive!

Week 6 - OKC MM Training

I ran the Edmond Running Club's Frigid Five at Mitch Park on Saturday morning, Feb. 11.  It was super cold and windy.  In fact, the wind chill was only 4 degrees.  I couldn't wait to get that 5 miles over with so I could get warmed up.  Brrr.....  
After running in such awful conditions on Saturday, I couldn't bring myself to do it again for Sunday's training run.  I skipped the run and spent some time on my elliptical.  It wasn't the same as running by any means, but it sure beat being out in those brutally cold and dangerous conditions.  
Here are a couple of photos taken after Frigid Five.

Week 5 - OKC MM Training

20 MILES = DONE!

40 degrees with a wind chill of 30.  Brrr....  The wind was almost unbearable.  It was pretty much a steady 18mph with gusts of up to 35mph. So grateful to have my running buddy, Lisa, with me. We had a great time and even stopped by 7-11 to pick up something for a celebration toast. 

We were half way to our 20 miles!

We weren't finished until our Garmins said 20 miles.

We did it!

20 MILES = the furthest distance I've ever run!

I was pretty proud of myself and immediately messaged these photos to my husband.  A few minutes later, they were also on Facebook.  Yippee!

Actual running time wasn't bad, but we stopped a LOT (water, bathroom, 7-11, Starbucks, stretching, and being social at the water stops, etc. ; ) ) to make it more enjoyable. When we stopped at the Starbucks at May/Grand, I even ordered a coffee and ran 2.25 miles back with it to the finish. Yes, I'm serious about my coffee. I also think it's interesting that my pace picked up a bit once I had that coffee in my hand.

I ordered a tall coffee in a venti cup. The looks that I received from people passing me by in their cars were absolutely priceless.  I'm not sure whether they thought I stole the coffee or that I'm a girl who's serious about her coffee.  

A few of my running buddies.

Me and Lisa

Super excited about our 20 MILES!

After my run, I went home and rested with my pup and more coffee.  

Week 4 - OKC MM Training

18 MILES - DONE!!!  

YES, I RAN 18 MILES!  

Lisa, Matthew, and I started running just a few minutes after 5:30am.  It was going to be just me and Lisa, but Matthew was a little concerned about us 2 girls being out there by ourselves, so he joined us.  He's so nice!  We ran 6.3 miles and were back at the boathouse for announcements with the rest of the Landrunners.  After announcements and a bathroom break, we went back out to complete our mileage. 

It also wasn't easy, but we got it done.  Also, there are hills out there on that trail.  My average moving pace was 11:11/mile.  I was under 10:30 until we stopped.  It's those long breaks that absolutely kill my time.  Luckily, when we run the marathon we won't be making a 20 minute stop for announcements. 

It was a great day for running with friends.  I kept seeing different friends along the route and I'd talk with them for a bit and then I'd see somebody else and run/talk with them.  Aunt Amy was even out there and she successfully completed her 12 miles.  I am so PROUD of her!  She's doing so good!

I didn't ride after my run yesterday and I ended up regretting that decision.  I really wasn't sure how I'd feel after running 18 miles.  My day just ended up being somewhat relaxing and definitely unproductive.  Today, I rode my bike with a friend over to Coffee Slingers.  It was a short 8 mile ride, but it was wonderful.  The weather was fantastic!  We had so much fun.  I'm already looking forward to biking again next weekend.  In fact, I may see about biking during the week if the weather will be nice.  I really do believe that biking after running is the best medicine.  

Week 3 - OKC MM Spring Training

Well, this post is obviously late, but that's the story of my life right now.  I'm super busy and pretty much behind with everything.

Week 3 of spring training was tough.  I ran 15 miles of hills at Mitch Mountain (aka Mitch Park).  I ran 5 with Lisa before the rest of the group showed up.  They were scheduled for 10, so we finished with them.  It is so dark out there!  Luckily I remembered just how dark it would be so I made a special trip to Lowes the night before for a headlamp to wear while running.  Yes, I'm a nerd.... big time!  

The run was pretty good until I hit 13.1 miles (a half marathon).  At that exact moment my mind was finished.  I was frozen and so were my water bottles.  I just wanted to be done and go somewhere warm.  Mile 14 seemed to be the longest mile I've ever run in my life.  Seriously, it would NOT end!  Anyway, I finally hit that 15 mile mark on my Garmin and I was DONE.  What a relief!  The 15 miles with the hills and sharp turns felt like a 20 miler.  It wasn't pretty by any means, but I got it done.  

After my run, I quickly went home to shower and change.  I then placed my bike on the back of my car and drove to a friend's house.  We rode our bikes from her house to Whole Foods for some grocery shopping and lunch.  It ended up being a total of only 10.5 miles.  We had a great time riding, shopping, and eating!  Plus, I'm convinced the biking helps me recover from the long runs. 

Perspective

I have a new perspective on running distance.  The past 3 half marathons that I've participated in have had absolutely awful weather.  They have been super cold and wet.  Here's the breakdown.... 

1.  The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon had a freakishly cold thunderstorm blow through (complete with a torrential downpour or rain, lightening, and hail!) on May 1, 2011.  

2.  The Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, OK on Nov. 20 was freezing cold and misty.  The cold winds were brutal!

3.  The Dallas White Rock Marathon on Dec. 4 was freezing cold with heavy rain the entire 13.1 miles.  

These aren't my favorite running conditions by any means.  There is one group of people that I believe have it much worse than us runners.  Can you guess who?  My vote is the spectators, entertainers, and people who are there just to cheer us on and support us.  Can you imagine standing in those cold nasty conditions for several hours?  Well, I sure know I wouldn't be out there if I wasn't running.  I'm so grateful for each and every person that has been there to support me and all the other runners during these races.  

Now, because of the weather we haven't had quite the support that there usually is when the weather is good.  You don't really realize just how important the spectators are until they're not there for you.  I remember saying that making it through 13.1 miles without much of a crowd was one of the most difficult things ever.  

As my mileage has increased, so has my perspective.  The past two weekends I have run at least a half marathon.  I did this without any crowds there to cheer me on.  It was just me, the road, and some other runners.  Now, look how far I can go all by myself!  This sure puts a new spin on things.  Love it!

Week 2 - OKCMM Spring Training

Week 2 was AWESOME! I really enjoy these early morning runs because I can look up at the stars in the sky (I start running at 5:30-5:45am) and a little later I am able to see the sunrise over the lake.  It's quite the sight!  

Here's PROOF that I made it 16.1 MILES!!!  My Garmin does't lie!  : )  

I'll also mention that after my run, I quickly went home to shower and was back at the lake by noon for a Classy Ladies Cupcake Ride.  We dressed up (skirts, dresses, and all!) and rode from the lake over to a cupcake shop in the Classen Curve.  Our total mileage was 12.56 MILES.  I loved it so much that I'm doing it again next week, except that we're having lunch at Whole Foods this time.  Mmm.....

Fall Training - Week 3

The training schedule listed 10 miles for full marathoners and 5 for half marathoners.  I did a run/walk combo with my friend, Laura, who recently had her boot removed.  She hadn't run since the full marathon on May 1 due to 2 fractures.  Laura was a little nervous about her time back out there, but she did awesome.  No pain!  I'm so proud of her for her determination.  

We conquered 5.4 miles together.  

Here is a photo of me with my Landrunner buddies.  Love them!

Go, Landrunners!  

Fall Training - Week 2

The week 2 training run schedule was 8 miles for full marathoners and 4 for half marathoners.  You guessed it... I "ran" 4.  I couldn't find my awesome Injinji socks as I was getting dressed the morning of my run, so I just wore another pair of running socks.  Bad Idea.  I could feel blisters forming on the bottoms of my toes as I was about 1 mile from finishing.  The pain became more intense and I ended up walking in the last 1/2 mile.  I drained those bad boys (blisters) when I got home and they seem to be doing better so far.  I'm having a couple of other foot problems, but I won't talk about them in this post.  I'll save it for next time.  It's gross.  

I LOVE the OKC Landrunners!  I've made some wonderful friends through this group.  They are truly inspiring and always encouraging.  

Ann, Lisa, & Me

Me and some of my running buddies enjoying 

a post-run treat at the Nichols Hills Starbucks.

A close group of us running gals within the Landrunners had a farewell dinner at Nunu's for our dear friend, Maura.  Her husband was transferred with his job so they're moving to Washington.  She will be missed!
Do we look a little different without our running gear and 5 gallons of sweat?  

(L to R) Cathy, Maura, Dyani, Jenny, Me, Terra

Fall Training - Week 1

The OKC Landrunners officially started the fall training group runs on July 30.  Full marathoners ran a scheduled 6 mile run that day.  The half marathoners ran 3.  I'm working on the half marathon training schedule again so I only ran 3 miles for our first training run.  Well, I say "ran" very loosely.  I ran 2 and walked 1.  The heat is too much for me.  It makes me miserable!  I need some cooler temps.

There are a couple of half marathons I'd like to do this fall, but it all depends on our crazy schedules and finances with the new house and all.  My plan is to train for the half (13.1 miles) this fall and then bump it up for the full (26.2 miles) this spring.  I sure hope my body and mind can handle it.

Me with my running buddies:

(L to R) Terra, Jenny's Mother, Jenny, Jenny's Sister, Me

Me with some of my Landrunner friends

 at the Nichols Hills Starbucks 

for a post-run treat.