Not-so-fast-running-blog

Moderate Long Run: (suggested pace: 11:30)

Overall Average Pace: 10:28

Splits: 2 mi - 11:44 / 4 mi - 10:44 / 6 mi - 10:41 / 8 mi - 10:41 / 10 mi - 10:04 / 12.08 mi - 9:25

Thoughts: Most runners would have welcomed a 30° temperature start. This is just a little too cold for my fingers and toes. By the time I returned home, my fingers were white, tingling, and burning. The new running gloves did not help. My status as the dorky runner wearing ski gloves must continue for another year! There are worse labels? Right?

Workout: Recovery run

I ran better with the chilly temperatures this mmorning.

Workout: Recovery run

Workout: Recovery run

I ran to and from my polling precinct in the rain.

Workout: Recovery Run

Overall Average Pace: 10:05

I think I figured out how to dress for the cold morning starts! Race on Saturday is to begin in the low 20's. Brrrr!

For my birthday, I ran my last EVER marathon! I had not prepared myself physically or mentally as I decided 3 weeks ago to do this event. I had very low performance expectations, but I finished feeling satisfied with my results.

I learned a few helpful tips today to move my half-marathon training and race results to perhaps a higher level:

1. Because I suffer from Raynaud's Disease, I learned that I can not race in conditions below 30 degrees. Today's race began and ended with a wind chill of 22 degrees. By mile 5, I had no feeling in my fingers. By mile 9, I had no feeling in my toes. I was unable to handle any of my race nutrition. This meant that I ran the entire race without food. I ran a lot of the race with my hands in my pockets. Many runners offered me their gloves, but I was unable to put them on over mine since I had no feeling. Around mile 11, a runner gave me heat packs. He slid them into my gloves. He was stunned to see my white hands and chose to run with me for several miles to make sure my hands somewhat warmed up.

2. Map my Run stinks as a mileage and pace tracker! I probably need to stop being so miserly and invest in a quality Garmin. Here are the differences in what happened on the race course with my paces:

Map my Run: First Half - 2:05:22 / Second Half - 2:11:49 / Overall Pace: 9:52

Monumental: First Half - 2:09:38 / Second Half - 2:24:36 / Overall Pace:10:28

3. I need to look UP when I run. If I had looked UP more often, I might have realized that my Garmin was not in sync with the official race clock. I might have run my final half faster than what I actually did. Again, no regrets. It was a satisfying finish to an event that I have never enjoyed!

Tomorrow my birthday celebration continues with another trip to Indianapolis. I'll cheer the Indianapolis Colts on to a victory over the Miami Dolphins. I really am a Denver Broncos girl having grown up in Denver, but the Broncos season is all but over. Perhaps John Elway will get his act together and secure a decent quarterback like Andrew Luck since we know that all colts grow up to be broncos!

Workouts: Recovery runs (treadmill)

Wednesday: 6 mi / 9:34

Thursday: 7 mi / 9:22

This is one of the most beautiful courses I run each year. It is one of the most difficult courses I run too. The hills are many and  steep. This is the first year that I did not injure myself, but it is also the slowest time that I have raced on the course. I sacrificed my speed today so that I could finish out my race year. I have 2 5K's, 1 8K, and one more half-marathon remaining to race.

Recovery Run: 10:30

I intended to run 6 miles, but my shins were really tight from yesterday's hilly race. I decided to rest my legs instead.

Recovery Run: 10:20

My shins are better, but now my quads are sore. Hopefully, by tomorrow, the legs will be back to normal!

Workout: Strength (treadmill)

Warm-up / 1 mi / 10:41

Strength / 6 x 1 mi / 8:19

Recovery / .50 x 6 / 9:40

Today I march to the Indianapolis State Capital with my fellow #Red for Ed union members and supporters to let our voice be heard regarding low teacher salary, the defunding of our public school system, 15 hour licensing externship requirements, increase of unrealistic mandated student testing, and lack of legislative respect toward the profession.

Workout: (treadmill)

Cross-train: 45 minutes of spinning

Workout: Tempo (treadmill)

Warm-up / 1 mi / 10:30

2 mi - 9:33 / 3 mi - 9:22 / 4 mi - 9:13 / 5 mi - 9:04 / 6 mi - 8:57 / 7 mi - 8:49 / 8 mi - 8:41 / 9 mi - 8:34

Workout: Fast Long Run (10:16 pace)

Recovery Run: 9:51

We had a croup explosion in my classroom last week. Many school families treat our nurse as a personal doctor. This equates to sick children and infectious germs entering  the classroom. Try as I may with Clorox wipes, I just can not win the battle of germs!

My morning run was hampered with incessant coughing. I had to call it a day at 6 miles. Hopefully, I can sneak in a few extra miles throughout the week to make up for today's loss.

Workout:

Treadmill: 3.5 mi / 9:33

Spin Class / 45 minutes

Workout: Strength (treadmill)

Warm-up / 1 mi / 10:33

4x 1.5 mi / 8:34 x 4x .50 mi / 9:40

• 3 easy miles / 9:40
• 45 minutes / Spin class

 I am supposed to run a Turkey Trot 5K tomorrow. The grandkids may spend the night so the race is questionable. Te house will be full for the next five days. My heart is happy and as always blessed!

I got carried away in the wee hours of the morning with my chopping, dicing, stirring,  and baking in the kitchen. Then, everyone was awake talking, laughing, playing and helping out. I decided to skip the Turkey Trot 5K. Best decision ever!

Recovery Run: 9:58