Abs?

I think my abs are finally coming back!!!!

8 more pounds to go!!!

It's like the night before Christmas

Lately I have been so excited about waking up to run that i can't sleep, it's like the feeling as a child the night before Christmas!

94*'s + 7 Miles

Since I was off today for Labor Day and didn't have any plans, I quickly became bored. I didn't want to go party and drink all day, so at 5:00pm I decided to go for a 7 mile run.

It is Florida

It is September

5:00 is HOT

94* along a path with NO shade.

I think I lost my mind!

Well I ended up being very surprised with my run. I wanted to do 5 second cut downs on all the miles, but when I started out and realized how blazing hot it was I re considered my plan and though easy was as good as anything.

It ended up being 7 miles at 8:14 pace and on the second half I did do the cut downs. I started with 8:25's and my last mile was 8:00!!

Now, I also did 1441 this morning AND did a 5 mile speed walk with my mom.

Usually when I run it is at 5:30 am when the humidity is at its highest point (90%+). It is extremely hard to breath when it is humid and the amount of sweat that pours out of your body is usually about 2 pounds worth!

Even though it was so brutally hot, I think the lack of humidity made the run easier.

TRUST

I realized this week, that I have put 100% trust into my training plan. It isn't the same training that I did pre injuries.

This time around I am constantly pushing my body in ways that I never have before. My attitude before was log all the miles as possible and you will get faster. That method did work for me and I loved it, my paces were always fast and I always felt confident. But then I got INJURED... twice.

I am averaging about 40-43 miles per week with 2-3 2 hour strength and conditioning classes, spin once a week and occasional swimming and biking.

All of the different training usually leaves me fatigued during my runs, causing my paces to be slower and my breathing pretty winded. There are days where I just want to give up on everything but running, because for 2 weeks when I did do that my runs were so easy and faster.

I am putting every ounce of trust into my training and NOT giving up on all these extra's because the people I am taking advice from say that once I hit taper my body will get the rest and then come race day I will be STRONG and ready to rock the marathon.

As the weeks go by my long runs are getting better and I am feeling more and more confident. I did 17 miles yesterday and it was awesome. I did all the miles alone and I felt strong (I actually almost went for 18 + but decided against it once my watch hit 17).  It ended up being 8:22 avg pace with less than 10 minutes of stops for water and one bathroom stop.

After the 17 miles I grabbed a quick protein smoothy and headed to Saturday Smack down at Sand Key which included:

 20 minutes of bridge sprints to recover, kettle bell dead-lifts & squat jumps, burpies, manual resistance, kettle bell snatch, step ups with quick feet (prisoner style), 500 push ups & 500 sit ups with sprints in between. Open water swim.

10 Weeks to go!

I can't believe I only have 10 more weeks to go!! Every week that passes by I feel more and more confident about the Marathon.

After last Saturdays 15 miler, I took Sunday completely off. I laid around and let my body rest. I  have not been giving my body enough rest days, so even though I felt lazy I stuck through with it. Monday morning came and I was ready to roll!!

Monday AM: 1441 
              PM: 6 Miles 7:54 pace
Tuesday AM: 7 Miles 8:20 pace
Wednesday: TRACK
     1200 - 5:02 6:40 pace
     1600 - 6:41
     2000 - 8:17 6:33 pace
     1200 - 4:52 6:24 pace
Thursday: 8 Miles 8:19 pace
Friday: 1441
Saturday 16 Miles

Wednesday track was killer - but I killed it!!! I felt amazing, and finally felt like I was getting some speed back. He had me in group 5b but I was running 4b times - AND look how I got faster!!! Most people got slower and died, but I just got stronger. I was high on life that day :)

Saturday I woke up at 3:40 and was running by 4:25. I wanted to get in a little over 7 miles before the Sharks start at 5:30 am. Since it isn't really safe/smart to be running alone that early, I met up with another group for the first 8. This group is FAST. Like sub 3 hours fast... sub 18 minute 5k fast... but yet, their long  run easy runs are so slow...

First 8 Miles:
8:45
9:12
9:20
8:52
9:15
8:53
9:10
8:51
avg: 9:02

Next 8
8:10
8:18
8:21
8:15
7:59
8:16
8:10
8:09
avg: 8:12

I was really happy with the run overall. The second half I still felt great, and could have kept going. My over stops only added up to 14 minutes  - which included a long break before the shark start since I got there a little too early. (compared to last weeks 15 miles which was over 20 minutes!!)

After the 16 miles I went and did 2 hours of Seal Strength & Conditioning -- crazy yes, but it was awesome and so much fun!! I am super sore today... which I know was from the boot camp....

This is me laying on the ground - I had to pull the rope that had a 40lb kettle ball attached to the end. We had to pull it all the way until the kettle ball came to our heads. Then the next person would go. We did this 5 times each -- killed the arms and back!

15 Miles of Smiles

Another training week down.

My running week started on Sunday with an 8 mile recovery run. I woke up really early and wanted to knock out some miles.

Sunday 8 Miles --> 8:44 pace
Monday 1441 no running
Tuesday 8 Miles --> 8:31 pace
Wednesday --> Track  (I think I could be getting some speed back!)
Thursday --> a BRUTAL 7 miles. 8:45 pace -- My body was tired, I was dehydrated and it hurt.
Friday --> 1441 no running
Saturday --> 15 miles!!! 8:28 pace with JAIME!!!

Total Miles : 40

Jaime came to town and we hung out all weekend. It was GREAT. I miss her so much.. She joined me for my 15 miler and it was so much fun. We got in an easy 6 miles then had 3 of our other friends join us for the final 9. It was so nice to have us all out there chatting away for 2 hours. I wish every Saturday could be like that!!!

Chuggin Along..

Worst running week was over after that week, and training has continued. The Florida humidity has really set in and is making runs challenging, but they are getting done!!

I decided that I was going to stick with my hardcore Strength and Conditioning on Mondays and Fridayas until September 1st, then I will go only once a week. The hardest day is Fridays, which is the day before my long runs. I am usually 110% fatigued and extremely sore on Saturday mornings, but I keep telling myself that once September comes long runs will be easier (not easy, but easier).

The only other challenge that I have is my KNEE!! I am the magnet for injuries anymore. I have patella tendinitis  which I am really struggling with. Stretching, Icing and more stretching have really been in full force for me. I wish I knew a magical way to cure this quick, because it does not feel good. BUT I am determined to NOT.LET.IT.GET.IN.MY.WAY!

Tomorrow I have 14 miles on the schedule. I don't have any goals on my long runs, except finish, until September 1st hits... so stayed tuned.