Puppy Run 12/24/2007

• Distance: 2 mi.
• Time: 19:53 (9:52 pace)

2 mile run with the puppy -- he lost a big tooth halfway through the run!

Track Workout 12/27/2007

• Distance: 6 mi.
• Time: 44:34 (7:26 min/mi.)
• Workout: Mile warmup, 3 x 1600m, 2 x 800m, mile cooldown
• Splits: 6:51, 6:52, 6:49, 3:12, 3:13
• Avg. Heart Rate: 168 (82%)
  
• Weather: 53 F Chilly and windy

Great run! Did a track workout with Julie. Not only did we do the entire workout we were supposed to do (ok, we split the 2 mile split into 2 1 mile splits), but I did my intervals faster than I needed to! 1600s needed to be a 7:00, 800s needed to be at 3:19 and I was always faster. Yesss!!! Very encouraging to have such a good run. Got to wear my new longsleeve shirt too for the warmup and cooldown! :)

Long Run 12/22/2007

• Distance: 11 mi
• Time: 1:41:55 (9:16 min/mile)
• Weather: 45-55 F Windy

Pretty good run. Got to run a long run with Julie so that was fun! Probably should have ran more but oh well. It's an off week -- another 20 miler next weekend.

Recovery Run 12/20/2007

• Distance: 4 mi
• Time: 41:05 (10:16 min/mile)

Still having a little cold so we did a recovery run instead of a track workout.

Puppy Run 12/17/2007

• Distance: 2.74 mi.
• Time: 27:29 (10:02 min/mi.)
  
• Weather: 62 F Dark Out

Ran with the puppy. Farthest run so far for him! Time included a couple of stops for the puppy so the min/mile pace was a little faster than that. Slower on the way out, more stops, on the way back Sherlock wanted to go faster so we did.

Long Run 12/15/2007

• Distance: 20.02 mi.
• Time: 3:07:51 (9:23 min/mile)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 156 (76%)
• Weather: 55 F (41 F at the start) Sunny

Pretty good run. Almost didn't do a 20 miler because Julie wasn't able to do hers because she wasn't feeling well but I finally convinced myself to do it. Ran first part with Roger, and the rest by myself. The last mile was fastest mile (feeling ok so picked it up). Definitely tired legs but I did it! And I LOVE the new mint chocolate gu!!!

Track Workout 12/13/2007

• Distance: 5 mi.
• Time: 38:43 (7:45 min/mile)
• Workout: 1 mile warmup, 6 x 800m at 3:19, 1 mile cooldown
• 800m splits: 3:23, 3:25?, 3:25?, 3:25?, 3:25?, 3:25?

Watch ran out of batteries after the first lap so I'm not 100% sure what the lap times were, so those are guesstimates. Ran with Julie at Carver Track, it always feels good to get a track workout in even though the 800s are painful. :)

Tempo Run 12/11/2007

• Distance: 4.75 mi.
• Time: 38:00 (8:00 min/mile)

Ran 4 miles on the treadmill at the gym at an 8 min/mile pace, then came home and ran .75 with the puppy at about that same pace (didn't bring a watch with). Kept it shorter since it was a fast run for the puppy but he did fine.

Puppy Run 12/10/2007

• Distance: 1.27 mi.

Another short run with the puppy. He wanted to run faster on the way back so we did. :) 1 mile doesn't seem to get him too tired anymore so we'll have to make it farther.

Rainy Run 11/09/2007

• Distance: 3.63 mi.
  
• Time: 31:33 (8:41 min/mile)
  
• Avg. Heart Rate: 146 (71%)
  
• Weather: 55 F Rainy

It's not supposed to rain in Yuma! Ran with Julie. We're both slackers and skipped our long runs (at least Julie got up to 10 miles during the week). Cold and rainy out so we didn't go too far.

Run with Pupppy 12/07/2007

• Distance: 1.27 mi.

Just a short run with the puppy tonight.

Training Run 12/06/2007

• Distance: 5:02 mi.
• Time: 45:56 (9:09 min/mile)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 147 (72%)
• Weather: 63 F

Ok run. Ran with Roger along the canal. Ran faster on the way out, then I started feeling my quads a bit more so we walked a bit on the way back.

Puppy's First Run! 12/06/2007

• Distance: 2.26 mi.
• Time: 23:45 (10:30 min/mile)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 142 (69%)
• Weather: 68 F Dark

Pretty good run! First run since the half marathon, still sore but just wanted to get out and do a little bit to loosen my legs up. Took the puppy with for his first run! Only intended to go for about a mile but he was doing great and we ended up doing 2 miles. He did better than I thought he would, only occasional stops when there were people or other dogs. Otherwise he kept a nice steady pace with me.

Tucson Half Marathon 12/02/2007

• Distance: 13.1 mi.
• Time: 1:41:17 (7:44 min/mile)
  

Great race! Perfect weather -- cool, upper 40s to 50s ish. Wasn't very prepared - plane was cancelled so didn't have some items (Garmin, headband....) so just ran how I felt. Could see about what pace I was running the first 7 miles or so just looking at my watch. First mile around 7:10, others up to 7 around 7:30ish. After that couldn't count anymore so must have slowed down towards the end. Walked through a water stop at mile 9 because I wasn't getting enough to drink. Love my new race number belt!!!! So handy not to have to deal with safety pins. Don't feel as sore as I did last year after the race so that's great! Was ready to be done with about 4 miles left, last 2 miles were definitely hard.

New PR!!! Almost 30 seconds faster than last year! :)

Training Run 11/29/2007

• Distance: 4 mi.
• Time: 38:18 (8:50 min/mile)

Good run, ran on the treadmill at the hotel. Legs still feeling a little sore from the week.

Recovery Run 11/28/2007

• Distance: 6 mi.
• Time: 57:52 (9:39 min/mile)

Pretty good run! Ran on the treadmill at the hotel in Eden Prairie. Recovery run so it was definitely slower but necessary -- my legs are still recovering.

Tempo Run 11/27/2007

• Distance: 5 mi.
• Time: 41:26 (8:17 min/mile)

Pretty good run...ran on the treadmill at the hotel in Eden Prairie. Mile warmup, 3 miles tempo done at 7:30, mile cooldown. Tempo miles were definitely difficult but doable. Took a quick water break/stretch break in between the tempo miles.

Recovery Run 11/26/2007

• Distance: 4 mi.
• Time: 38:38 (9:39 min/mile)

Pretty good run. Ran on the treadmill at the YMCA. Still recovering from the 20 miler, but after a mile legs loosened up. Could have ran a little farther but needed to start working.

Long Run 11/24/2007

• Distance: 20.03 mi.
• Time: 3:09:52 (9:29 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 157 (76%)
  
• Weather: 56 F Chilly

Pretty good run. Knew it would be iffy since I hadn't done anything since doing elliptical on Wednesday. Oh well. Definitely not the most exciting run because it was from Smuckers Park to West Wetlands Park twice to get in the miles. Legs were definitely feeling achy towards the end. I'll definitely be sore tomorrow and am ready for a nap. Slower than I should have done the run (supposed to be done at 8:53 - 9:08 pace) but I was just glad I got the 20 miles in and didn't care too much how fast I was going.

Track Workout 11/20/2007

• Distance: 4 mi.
• Time: 31:08 (7:47 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 158 (77%)
• Workout: 5x800m
• 800m Splits: 3:19, 3:18, 3:21, 3:22, 3:25
  
• Weather: 82 F Humid

Pretty good run! Track workout with Julie.

Training Run 11/19/2007

• Distance: 6.01 mi.
• Time: 57:12 (9:31 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 154 (75%)
  
• Weather: 81 F Sunny until sunset

Ok run. Ran on a different section of the canal. Probably should have gone farther. I was really bad and skipped my long run this weekend. My plane was delayed so I got in really late on Friday meaning I didn't want to wake up early on Saturday, and then I couldn't get myself out of bed on Sunday. I'm a slacker!

HILL Workout 11/15/2007

• Distance: 8.5 mi.
• Time: 1:21:28 (9:35/mile)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 158 (77%)
• Weather: 55F Rainy

Ran a hill workout in Portland with the Red Lizards Running Group. Really tough workout. Course was 6.5 miles long but I ran to and from the hotel which was a mile away. The 3-3.5 miles that were uphill were REALLY uphill -- about a 1000m elevation gain. I was dying be the end. The run down was cake and felt much shorter than it really was. GREAT run! I really had a great time running in Portland and the running community was really inviting and I loved having an organized run every night of the week! It's also nice in Portland that they have random drinking fountains placed throughout the city so it was a much needed break halfway up the hill to stop for a minute and get some water. :)

Recovery/Training Run 11/14/2007

• Distance: 5.25 mi.
• Time: 47:36 (9:04/mile)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 148 (72%)
• Weather: 47 F Chilly

Ran with the Nike Running Group again in Portland. Ran a different course this time, going north along the river. Very pretty run! Felt good....comfortable in pants and a long sleeve. Still ran a little faster than a recovery run should be but oh well. I'm enjoying running in Portland! Tonight is a 6-7 mile hill workout (running up a mountain), but I also have to run a mile to get to and from my hotel to the starting point. I guess it will be a 8-9 mile run....good thing I'll have Friday to rest before Saturday's long run! :)

Track Workout 11/13/2007

• Distance: 4 mi.
• Time: 34:28 (8:07/mile)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 159 (78%)
• 3K Time Trial: 13:15
• Weather: 45 F Freezing!

Ran with a running group in Portland again at a track about a mile from the hotel (used the to and from for a warmup). It was cold out! And the time trial didn't start right away so I was frozen. :) Run felt good, could have run a little faster if I wanted to and wasn't so cold but oh well. Tonight will hopefully be a recovery run with the Nike running group.

Recovery/Tempo Run 11/12/2007

• Distance: 7.25
• Time: 59:52 (8:15/mile)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 161 (78%)
• Weather: 52 F Overcast

Well, I'm in Portland! It's definitely cooler here which is nice. I got to wear jeans and a sweatshirt! I won't have the exact run info until I'm back at the hotel or back at home and can get the information right off my watch. I ran with the Niketown running group tonight which was great! About 40 people were there, running 3, 5, or 7 mile routes. Lots of different speeds (lots of fast people), and snacks at the end! I ended up running 7 (plus the distance from my hotel); I was supposed to do a recovery run but I didn't want to get lost so I needed to stay with the 7 milers that were running faster than I would have liked -- so it turned into more of a tempo run. But it felt great! YEAHHHHH for great runs!!! Tonight is track workout with a running group, Wed is the Nike running group again (hopefully slower), and then Thurs is possibly a hill workout with a running group.....so great to have group runs!!!!

Long Run 11/10/2007

• Distance: 15 mi.
• Time: 2:14:04 (8:56 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 161 (79%)
  
• Weather: 63 F, Sunny

Good but tough run. 3 miles more than any recent long run. Supposed to do 8:53 miles but 8:56 is pretty close. Ran at a comfortably hard pace, very quick water break every 2 miles or so. Calves definitely getting tight by the end. I was ready to be done by the end. I hate waking up early. :)

Track Workout 11/08/2007

• Distance: 5 mi.
• Time: 51:09 (9:35 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate:
• Workout: Mile warmup, 4 x 800m @ 3:18, 2 mile cooldown
• 800m splits: 3:23, 3:21, 3:16, 3:19
  
• Weather: 85 F Sunny

Great track workout! Convinced myself to do the workout on my own (Julie is under the weather -- feel better soon!!). Track workouts always feel good. 800s were definitely hard but they felt good. I was glad I didn't have to do more than 4. :) Did yoga at the gym afterwards which was also good. Hopefully this day partially makes up for the 2 previous crappy days.

Recovery Run 11/07/2007

• Distance: 1 mi.
• Time: 9:39 (9:39 min/mi.)
• Weather: 85 F Dark out

So not only did I skip last night's tempo run because I didn't feel like it, but I only ran a mile tonight because I still didn't feel like it! At least it's a track workout tomorrow....that should go well. But I am the biggest slacker of all of the slackers in the entire world.

Recovery Run 11/05/2007

• Distance: 6.14 mi.
• Time: 58:44 (9:34 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 150 (73%)
  
• Weather: 80 F Dark out

Good run! Nice recovery pace, not too fast. Calves a little tight but they usually are. We'll see how tomorrow's tempo run goes -- 5 of the miles will be at marathon pace...a good workout!

Long Run 11/03/2007

• Distance: 8.52 mi.
• Time: 1:22:57 (9:44 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 145 (71%)
• Weather: 65 F

What a crappy run! Supposed to do 13 miles at an 8:38 pace but I was feeling really tired and really unmotivated and if my friend Julie wasn't there to convince me to run the little that I did, I probably would have done even less. That's pretty sad. Took a couple walk breaks, water breaks, any kind of break possible. BLAH!!!!!!

Track Workout 11/01/2007

• Distance: 5 mi.
• Time: 41:24 (8:17 min/mi.)
• Avg Heart Rate: 171 (83%)
  
• Workout: Mile warmup, 3 x 1600m @ 7:00 pace, mile cooldown
• Mile splits (for intervals): 6:50, 7:15, 7:05
• Weather: 86 F

Hard track workout! Warmer than I'd like which made it a little harder. Legs still a little tight. Intervals seem easier on the track than on the road for some reason. But it was definitely a hard workout. Good thing Julie was there so I was motivated to actually go to the track. :)

Recovery Run 10/31/2007

• Distance: 2 mi.
• Time: 18:51 (9:25 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 153 (75%)
  
• Weather: 86 F

Ok I'm a slacker. Only 2 miles! Granted, I was only going to do 4 or 5 because it's a recovery run, but my legs were tight from yesterday and I decided because it's Halloween 2 miles sounded really good.

Tempo Run 10/30/2007

• Distance: 6.1 mi.
• Time: 54:13 (8:53 min/mi.)
• Avg. Heart Rate: 171 (83%)
  
• Workout: 2 miles, 2 miles at Short Tempo pace (7:30/mile), 2 miles
• Mile splits: 9:43, 9:47, 7:40, 7:39, 9:09, 9:14
  
• Weather: 80 F Sunset, then dark

First official run!! Tempo run, felt pretty good. Tempo miles were definitely an effort and should have been a little faster but oh well. Tempo runs are always satisfying once they are done. :)

Lost Dutchman Marathon Course/Elevation

Ok, so the elevation profile looks a little scarier than previous marathons. I better add some hill workouts.

Here's a link to the actual course: Lost Dutchman Course

MarathonGuide also has a pretty cool map and more detailed elevation profile: Lost Dutchman @ MarathonGuide

Long Run 10/28/2007

• Distance: 12.01 mi.
• Time: 1:42:58 (8:34 min/mi.)
• Avg Heart Rate: 173 (84%)
  
• Weather: 75 F, Sunny

Good run! I really didn't want to wake up this morning but I did because I wrote down that I was going to do 12 and I didn't want to get crap from Melissa if I skipped a long run. :) Faster paced run, calves getting sore by the end. Passed 8 other runners on the way back! Who knew there were so many runners out by me. I didn't think many existed in Yuma. I probably should have asked if there were part of a group or something. Well, tomorrow officially starts my marathon training. (Although tomorrow will be a rest day or a cross training day). First big workout is Tuesday with a tempo run!!

Whoops!!

Well, I set my alarm for PM instead of AM. By the time I woke up it was getting too hot for a long run. So we'll try for a 12 miler tomorrow morning....as long as I can set my alarm correctly. :)

Cross Training 10/26/2007

Well, I was good and did elliptical for an hour. Good for me. Now I have my long run tomorrow morning. Elliptical is boring. :)

Recovery Run 10/25/2007 8:03 PM

• Distance: 1 mi.
• Time: 09:24 (9:24 min/mi.)
• Avg Heart Rate: 161 (79%)
  
• Weather: 84 F Humid, Dark Out

What a crappy run. Knees felt a little achy, had zero motivation but needed to get out and do something. Just not feeling it at all. Hopefully Saturday's run will go better. Plus America's Next Top Model was on MTV and I was more interested in watching that than running. It needs to get cooler here so I can run right after work. Right now I'm running later and my stomach still has food in it and that never equals a good run.

Long Run 10/21/2007 6:04 AM

• Distance: 12.01 mi.
• Time: 1:44:36 (8:42 min/mi.)
• Avg Heart Rate: 176 (86%)
  
• Weather: 70 F Very windy!

Ran 12 miles in windy windy weather. This equals sand everywhere in the desert. Felt pretty good, definitely tired by the end. This run was more of a maintenance long run in preparation for starting up marathon training again on Oct 29th.

My First Post!

I decided to start this blog to keep track of my marathon training to keep me motivated. Because my running motivation has been slacking lately and I am going to need to pick it up to reach my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I have run 3 marathon thus far:

* Grandma's Marathon 06/17/2006 3:48:21 CoolRunning.com Training Program
* Phoenix P.F. Changs Rock and Roll Marathon 01/14/2007 4:11:59 Pfitzinger 18/55 Training Program
* San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon 06/03/2007 3:41:13 Pfitinger 18/55 Training Program

Next up is the Lost Dutchman Marathon in Apache Junction, AZ on 02/17/2008. I'm going to try using the "FIRST to the Finish" Training Program to see how it works -- but I'll replace 2 of the cross training days with a slow recovery run to keep the mileage up.

If anyone has any motivation for me or comments/help with my training, feel free to comment!