Provo Halloween Half: Done

I blogged all about the Halloween Half on our family blog-

HERE.

Last trial run before the half

Today I thought I would run about 10 miles to taper down before the race.

But when I got out there, I just felt like I needed to do 13 again to really be ready.

So I did... and I'm glad, because I was really feeling it those last 3 miles!

I won't go into great detail, just a quick training log type update.

The iphone died when I was about 11.6 miles into my run. Not cool! I was relying on RunKeeper for my distance and pace, so I don't know what my total time or pace was. I do know that I was doing a 9:13 pace right before it died, and I slowed down the last mile or so. Luckily, it died at an intersection, so I could just use MapMyRun to see how far I ended up running. I overshot it a little and did another 2.1, so 13.7 miles today! Feels great. I've got that postrun high right now, love that!

13-Mile Training Run

Man, running 13 miles is quite the adventure.

A lot can happen when you're on the road for two hours.

Today was my big 13 mile pre-race training run.

And it also happened to be the South Jordan Marathon, which went right by my house.

Right outside my neighborhood was the mile 17 mile marker/aid station.

I couldn't resist, and I joined in with the runners, thinking this would be a great way to train.

It was pretty fun, and totally got me pumped for a race.

After a few miles, though, I started feeling a little silly.

I was passing lots of people, obviously, because they were on mile 20 and I was on mile 3.

And while you can get away with people not seeing your bib, you can't hide the fact that you're not wearing a timing chip. Sooo... feeling like the race hijacker that I was, I jumped on the sidewalk to make it a little more clear that I wasn't in the race, and to be out of everyone's way.

I made sure to hit my intersections at the same time as the marathoners, though, so I wouldn't have to wait, which was pretty awesome.

Around mile 5 or 6, I passed this middle-aged guy that was just having a blast, yelling to people cheering him on and waving his arms around like he was just having a party. On mile 22. 

I told him he had way too much energy for mile 22. 

He said, "Hey, if you're not having fun, you might as well quit!"

Wow. 

I think the super-fit guy that was on his heels probably wanted to punch him.

But seriously, great attitude. He has probably run a lot of marathons. Maybe I will be feeling that good on mile 22 someday.

Alright, so right after that on mile 6 I knew I was about to turn off the marathon course so I took my gel a little early and got my last chance for some water. I told the volunteers I wasn't in the race but they didn't care. That one little cup of water was all I had on the entire run, and I'll be honest, I could've used some more.

As soon as I turned the corner, it was basically a gradual uphill climb the rest of the way home.

On my first six miles, I was averaging an 8:40 pace. And it just got slower and slower every time that lady came into my ear to tell me my pace.

By mile 10, I was dying.

I was around a 9:07 pace, I think.

I had to dig really deep.

I had to take myself to later in the day, when the run is over, and you're wondering if you gave it all you had.

So I gave it all I had.

And all I had resulted in a 2:00:38 run. 

I was hoping to push it to under 2 hours, but that was close enough that I know I can get under 2 hours on race day, especially since it's downhill.

I mean, look at the elevation chart on this thing. 

Doesn't get any better than that!

I'm pretty excited, this is the only timed race I've done since I had Kyle over a year ago (Ragnar doesn't really count). Can't wait!!

Getting closer...

 We had quite a wintry week here in Utah.

It even snowed.

And when it wasn't snowing, it was raining. And freezing.

So Saturday came and once again, it was about 40 degrees outside.

The good news for me?

Freezing my fanny makes me run a hecka lot faster.

The previous Saturday, I ran 10 miles at about a 9:40-9:50 pace. 

Yesterday I ran 11 at a 9:03 overall pace.

I was elated.

I needed that boost of confidence SO bad.

But it wasn't just the cold weather that helped me.

It was that brain of mine.

As every runner knows, running is mostly mental and I just had to get my head in the game.

Instead of being worried about the distance and getting injured and all those reasons I was telling myself to just take it easy, yesterday I just wanted to dominate the asphalt, to take charge of my run instead of just letting it happen. I pushed myself, and it felt great.

I have also amped up my mid-week training.

I was only running Tuesdays and Thursdays mid-week before, and that just wasn't cutting it.

I added another day (or 2? I can't remember) and I pushed my pace on those runs. 

And lastly, I did a bit of carb loading on Friday.

Who says carb loading is only for race day? If you're going to run 11 miles, have some carbs the day before. 

I did have some uphill climbs, but I'm happy to say I maintained my pace decently well on them.

I think it makes it a little easier when the goal at the top of your hill is this:

I feel a lot more optimistic about the race now.
I hope I can stay around a 9 minute pace again this Saturday when I go for 13!

Ten Mile Technology Meltdown

Ran 10 miles yesterday for the first time since Ragnar.

I felt pretty good- legs got a little stiff on the last mile or so, but I was okay.

My technology, on the other hand, was not okay.

I started the run using Justin's iphone/Runkeeper.

About 4 miles in, the headphones started going out.

I took them off and carried them.

About 5 miles in, the iphone started dying.

By 6.5, it was almost dead.

I ran to my house to grab my ipod/nike+ sensor to make sure I did exactly 10 miles.

My nike+ sensor must be losing battery power because it wouldn't work.

Luckily I know a route that is a little over 3 miles so I just ran that to complete my 10 miler.

I tried using my headphones and got to listen to the music go in and out for my last three miles.

Thanks for nothing, technology! 

Before my technological meltdown, Runkeeper said I was doing around a 9:40 pace.

I don't know why I'm so slow. The downhill in this half is really going to have to do its job if I'm going to finish in less than 2 hours. The last time I ran a downhill course (Provo 10 miler), my pace was under 8 minutes. I would need to be in the 8-9 min/mile range right now to be anywhere close to that. Oh well. I'll just keep plugging away and see what happens!

A little self reflection

Had to be brutally honest with myself during my 7 miler today.

I've put on some pounds and I'm not as fast as I thought I was.

But it's okay. I'm not gonna go sulk with a tub of ice cream or anything, I just need to work on some things before this half next month.

Before, during, after the move... I was not exercising consistently at all. I was eating whatever was easiest. And as it tends to do, it all caught up with me.

Because it was so hard for me to squeeze in exercise, the few times I did make it to the gym (maybe once a week?), I would just bust it as fast as I could on the treadmill for 3.2 to make myself feel like I was still in shape. I would stay in the 8 minute mile range, sometimes dipping into the upper 7's, feeling really awesome about myself.

But that was on a treadmill. And I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I can go way faster on a treadmill than in real life because I don't have to push my pace- the machine does that for me. I also never touched the incline so I didn't have to face one single teeny, tiny hill. No wind, no uneven terrain... none of that stuff.

Now that I've been running outside again, everything has changed. If I want to go fast, I have to do more than push a button and keep up with the spinning mouse wheel. I have to tell myself, "You can do better. You can go faster." And then actually do it. It's hard! 

And then there's the old running weight-o-meter, feeling every ounce of extra weight pulling you down. Not enjoyable.

So! I have six weeks until this race. Today I worked really hard and I did 7 miles at a 9:14 pace. 9:14 is not bad, it's just that I had to work so dang hard for it. My training goals for the next six weeks are to drop a few pounds by eating right (uh.. and eating less... chocolate... and ice cream...) and to push my pace on my shorter runs so I can be more comfortable running a teeny bit faster on my long runs.

Okay! Here goes!

New trails!!

(photo from The Daily Herald)

We've been in our new home for one week now and this morning I finally got to try out the running trails in Daybreak, which is right next to us. We don't officially live in Daybreak (yes! we don't have to pay their pricey HOA fees!), but we're reallllly close.

I knew there were running trails, but I didn't realize how many trails there were. I could run forever out there! It was awesome. On my way up, I had gorgeous valley views and then I ran around the lake. I ran five miles, but when I got home I told Justin I just wanted to go back out and do it again, I loved it so much. He said that is annoying. haha

One of my favorite things about running has always been exploring new areas, so today was awesome. Can't wait to find more trails and get favorite routes. 

I may have enjoyed it a bit too much, though, because I did a 10 minute pace (according to my Nike+ --finally found the foot sensor again when we moved). But I loved it. Plus, Justin and I are running the Halloween Half Marathon in Provo next month and I don't want to hurt myself. Haha remember how I thought I was going to run that race last year? Two and half months after having Kyle? Hahaha! I know there are people who do that, but I'm definitely not one of them!

Anyway, loving our new house and our new trails. Hopefully I will be a little faster next time though. :)