Tuesday, June 30, 2015

NYC Week One

This week marks 125 days until the NYC Marathon, until Elyce and I wait in anticipation for that gun to go off, knowing that the next 26.2 miles are in front of us, the final 26.2 miles of a long road of training. 125 days. That seems both like a long and short amount of time. Everything about this training is going to be different from the past five years of training. Everything about this race is different. All other races, I’ve done for me, with the sole purpose of getting ME across that finish line. Now, this next 125 days is for Deacon, my sweet little nephew we lost 5 months ago. Every mile I run is for him, all I will be able to think about is him.
I have no idea what the next 125 days are going to be like. I know there will be ups and downs, days I am stoked to get out there, and days that I’m dragging to lace up my sneaks. But I’ll do it, because for every mile I DON’T run, I’m only cheating myself. To be the best I can be, I need to have focus. I’m thankful my work schedule is flexible to my running for the next 5 ½ months. That everything about my life is going to be focused. No more having to plan runs around my 15 hour Saturday’s working football, no more not being able to run because I had to work late, or because something came up. Focus is going to be the theme of this training season.
Week one is light, I start running on Thursday with a 3 mile, then the weekend includes a 3 mile and 4 mile. The first five weeks of the schedule is fairly light, I don’t start speed and tempo workouts until the first week in August. I’m excited to use this new plan, the Hanson’s Marathon Method. It’s different, but I was reading the book and it seems like a perfect fit for what I am looking for. It’s going to be tough, and I am going to push my limits, but hopefully it will be the perfect fit for this race.
So, here we go, thanks for following me on this 18 week journey!

Monday, June 1, 2015

San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Half - The Original Rock 'n' Roll

Yesterday I ran the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon in San Diego. I didn't really know I was officially running till last week, so haven't ran too much since the OC Half. I have been hiking and keeping active so it's not like I've been lazy. Also doing my Quick Strength For Runners, and watching what I eat.

I ran with a friend of Brielle's for this race, it was her second. She ran the Phoenix half in around 2:05 so I figured we could pace each other pretty well and at least stay around that time. I was tracking for under 2, but would be happy if we stayed under 2:05. The hotel shuttle was running from 4-5 a.m. and our race didn't start until 6:50 (well, first wave). Had breakfast beforehand, and I think it was just too early to eat before the race because I got hungry on the course. GREAT lesson to remember for NYC since we have to be out there WAY before the actual race starts. Just need to bring my food with me I guess.

Got to watch the elites start the marathon, since they started a half an hour before us. That was cool. I've seen them along the course, but not at the start so it was inspiring. The oldest lady to finish a marathon was there, she is 92 years old and started running about 18 years ago. Such an inspiration for the future!

On to our race. We were in corral twelve, and started out great. On pace, adjusted when we needed too and hydrated at every other station. The race was going really well, a few minor hills in the first half. The spectators were AMAZING. Seriously, we ran through a ton of neighborhoods and residential areas and they were having a great time. I've never seen that much alcohol offered on a course before, it was crazy. Mimosas, beer, shots, sangria. No way I'd partake, but it was entertaining to see. Volunteers were awesome as usual. The hills in the second half were killer, and we slowly watched that 2 hour mark disappear from our goals. No worries though, we were having a blast!

At mile 12, I pulled out a video of Deacon and played it, this mile was for him. We paced well that last mile, although it hurt and finished strong. I finished in 2:02:48 and got another PR! Crazy to think over a year ago, I was sitting at a 2:20 PR and I've almost cut that by 20 minutes in ONE YEAR. Can't wait to cross a finish line with a 1 in front of my finish time, but right now I'm happy to be getting it down little by little. California has been good to me!

I really hope marathon training goes well and I can get at least a 4:20. That would be over an hour difference from my other two, but I've been feeling so good about training and actually will have the time to train this fall, which will be a first.

After the race we went down on the field at Petco Park and watched the podium results. Two of my favorite runners, Sara Hall and Meb Keflezighi both run the half and placed. So inspiring to get the opportunity to hear Meb speak after the race. I look up to him so much, he is amazing. I hope he's running NYC!