Today’s Workout – Long Run
Total Mileage: 16.10 miles
Total Time: 2:22:07
Average Pace: 8:49 min/mile
Look at that average pace!
I was so happy with it – my quickest “long” run yet!
I started the morning off with two Honey Stinger Energy Chews before we left the house to head to the gym. I only had a one day guest pass, but it was nice to be able to run beside Wes while he did one of his last real long runs before Chicago.
These are by the far the most delicious flavor – cherry cola!
The speed breakdown went something like this:
Mile 1: 9:30 (warm up)
Miles 2-7: 8:57
Miles 8-13: 8:49
Mile 13-14: 8:30
Mile 15: 8:13
Mile 16: 8:00-7:41
I progressively got quicker throughout the run and ended up getting a slightly quicker overall average pace than last weeks 16 mile workout run. Success!
This run really helped to boost my confidence and I can see that my tough workouts have really been paying off!
I tried out my new Mizuno Ronins on today’s run. They are technically a speed shoe, but I wanted to try them out to make sure they worked and didn’t give me any problems.
They were awesome! They are light and really felt good on my feet. I will be incorporating these into my speed workouts weekly.
I kept the whole time if RunEmz can run for 100 miles then I should have no problem with 16 right!? She definitely motivated me for todays run!
The husband and I had some errands to run after the gym, and we just got back to the house to relax and spend most of the rest of the night on the couch.
Besides awesome running weather my second favorite thing about fall is that I get to break out my boots!
I thought today I would update you a bit on my training.
One of my biggest fears about running my next marathon to qualify for the Boston Marathon is lacking the strength. On my first marathon I hit the wall at mile 16, way too soon! It was so defeating and even though I had no time goal for my first marathon I had no confidence once that happened.
My husband and I had a great talk about this on the way to dinner tonight. We decided a few things for my training:
1. I will focus and work up to longer tempo runs.
2. As my marathon gets closer (still a ways out aiming for one in May 2014) I need to really work on workouts that test my strength. This means making my 20-22 mile run more than just a long slow run, and throwing in tempo and workouts.
3. I will be running long runs over 20 miles (probably 21-22).
4. Speed work, speed work, speed work – I can already see it paying off!
The goal for my marathon is an 8:00 min pace (that would roughly put me around a 3:29-3:30 marathon). I would love to be able to run it faster than that if I am in the right shape, but we will evaluate that around December and see where I am. My goal until December is to increase my speed.
My training will change a bit in about 2 months and then I will start official marathon training several months out from the marathon itself.
I have gotten many questions on what marathon I will be running, and I THINK I have narrowed it down to 2:
They are both in May 2014 and would give my husband enough time to recover from Boston to run it as well if he chooses too. They both are also less than 2 hours away from us, so there aren’t quite as many travel expenses involved.
So there you have it! A quick update on my training and my marathon choices.
I’ll leave you with a funny text conversation between my husband and I during our runs today.
I texted him (he was on the treadmill next to me) a little motivation 2 hours in. He responded as seen above. Oh the love! 🙂
What is your favorite marathon or race? Any suggestions?
Great run, as I said on Instagram – and even better that you had your hubby with you!
As for marathons, you should definitely check out some small ones as well! In a few weeks I’m doing my second run of the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, NY (http://www.wineglassmarathon.com) which is less than 3 hours away from you. That runs 2500 entries (sold out long ago for this year), and is a great time. Totally scenic, fast & flat, get wine in your bag, just a great scene.
I ran a really small one this year in the ‘Grand Canyon of PA’ (Wellsville, PA). They said they were having 500, but it ended up being 250 (not exactly honest on their website, probably trying to get more signups). The course is in a mountain gorge, so it was more like a hilly trail marathon … and when we ran I had >20 miles of torrential rains …
On the other hand, I need to run something really huge.
That’s such an awesome run!!!!! I’m really impressed with the pace you maintained, and glad it was a big confidence booster. My favorite marathon is still Disney, and I haven’t run either of the ones you’re thinking about, but it sounds like you’ve thought it out well!
I have always wanted to run the Disney marathon! It is on my bucket list but just too far away for us right now! Hopefully one day when we move closer 🙂
At the suggestion of you and skinnychick I bought them too! What a great deal for Mizunos which are my favorite brand. They should be here on Tuesday, can’t wait to try them out!
Hope you love them!! I wore them on my long run on Saturday and they did GREAT!