Yup 15 miles in the rain

Which is actually not so bad. It was a fine misty rain and the temperature was about 60 so really it was ok. I woke up still feeling good about it in advance and the jet lag that had been dogging me during the week seemed to have passed over as well.


So up at 5:30 with the usual pre-run meal; 1/2 raisin bagel with peanut butter, banana and water. Filled up my water bottles; 2 with water, 2 with decaf green tea. Packed GU and electrolyte caps in my pouch and off I went to meet the group at Valley Forge.


The plan to cover the distance was once aroung the loop (5.5), then across the bridge to betzwood, then 2 miles in one direction and back, then 2.5 in the other direction and back and over the bridge again. Over the bridge and back is about 1.5. I finished in three ours which is a very respectable time for me on a long run. A gu at mile 4 and mile 8, a salt capsule at 5 and 10, three one minute walk breaks each followed by stretches before resuming the run.


I made one almost fatal error. After the second walk/stretch I decided to run harder to catch up with two of the group I had been running with. Big mistake. Running hard is fine at the end of a long run but not 2/3 of the way through. I think that was the reason I needed a third break. BUT I did finish and still ran hard on the home stretch. My legs were pretty wobbly though.


My ankle is a bit achy and again that's my fault. Usually after long run i'll ice it and have Dave work it around for me. I didn't do this in my haste to change and get out the door to visit my daughter. Next time I'll take the time. It would have only meant another half hour before leaving.


After talking to some of the group after the run, it seems a lot of us were on some kind of out of mind experience when choosing our Distance Run predicted finish time. Few seem confident about making the time. Of coure there are some that always say that. For me though.. that isn't the case. Honest. Last year I finished 2:25 and change. Well I predicted 2:17 and change for this year. And I know the reason too. I registered shortly after the Broad Street Run which was a fantastic run for me and I guess I was figuring that if I kept at it I could improve that much on the PDR.

To put a more realistic spin on it, I'll be very happy to best my time from last year by any amount and still happy to simply finish. I will be running with the group on Saturday the day before to continue my preparation for back to back running for Goofy. They plan 10 miles. I haven't decided if I will go the whole 10 or not. I'd like to and then to be able to finish the PDR the next day in good form would be considered a success. In a perfect world.....

15 mile long run tomrrow

Well it's still raining and it sounds like it might still be rainy and cool for our long run tomorrow. Strangely enough I'm looking foward to it. I've felt so good on the days I did go out this week that I'm feeling really positive about the run. I have to be careful not to go too excited and go out too fast. I have to remember that my goal now is Goofy and running strong is more important than running for time. Running for time really never was my focus but it is even more different now. I want to finish both races for Goofy feeling good, not depleted like I was after the Philly Marathon.

So tomorrow is 15 miles and next week a lot of us will be running the Philly Distance Run. Hard to belive it's here already. I received my confirmation in email and my corral # is 14. I looked at the prediction time I must have sent it with my registration and I have to say... WHAT WAS I TIHNKING? LOL

5 miles in the rain

On Wednesday I ran 5 miles around Media in a light rain. I'm pleased that I felt strong the entire way. I think I recommend a vacation to everyone. I'm sure the enormous amount of walking we did helped avoid a serious loss of fitness level but I was expecting much more struggle upon my return. Having said that today I pooped out. The plan was a gym visit but I'm too pooped to even turn the car on.

Happy Labor Day! I'm happy to say I managed 10 miles with little laboring! :) I headed out to Valley Forge and ran over the bridge from the Visitors Center to the River Trail, ran the trail and made up the difference in mileage on the Schyukill River Trail. I felt good and strong. My ankle is bothering me a bit right now but Dave massaged it and I have it compressed and elevated. I ran in my old shoes and I really think they are done.

It's off to the gym tomorrow.

Return from vacation - Day 1

Well after two weeks off I'm back to training. I did a lot of walking on vacation but only one very short run.

I ran for 5 miles in the first hour then decided to finish my workout for time not distance. I determined that a total of two hours was my goal for today. So I went to Cherry Street Field to run on the grass. I spent the final hour running laps around the entire field; doing sprint-jog-walk intervals around the soccer field. I finished the workout walking but I did manage to meet my goal of two hours. Yay me!

Tomorrow I hope to do 10 miles running.