Today’s run was 12 miles, which is only 1.1 mile short of a half marathon. Amazing! We set out to run these 12 miles at a 12 minute a mile pace because we knew we had a lot of running ahead of us. We didn’t want to start out too fast and then not be able to finish the run and feel good at the end.
Once again we did our run at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis and the weather couldn’t have been too much better. We started our run around 7:45 am and it was a wonderful 60 degrees out! Definitely the coolest temperature we have run in since we started training 5 weeks ago. The humidity was up again, around 100% when we started, but dropped to around 77% by the time we finished.
We felt really good through most of the run, the first few miles were a little slow, but have to wake up and get that blood flowing first. Once we got running we felt great and finished strong. We ran the last 2 miles, after already running 10 miles, in 21 minutes. It is amazing how much you can still give and have to give at the end of a long run. We know that if we can give, even just a little bit more, at the end of a long run that we could run a few more miles at a slower pace. We do this because we know that we will be running just a little bit further the next week.
We finished our 12 mile run in 2:20:26, which is an 11:42 pace per mile, and just a little bit under the 12 minute a mile pace we set out for in the beginning. We ended up running the first 5 miles slower than the next 5 miles, and picked up the pace the last 2 miles for a strong finish.
On Monday we start week 6 of our training and have already run a total of 107 miles! Amazing!
Today's run summary:
Miles---12
Time---2:20:26
Cool Down---37:33
Total Time---2:57:00
Total Calories---2218
Total Miles Run---107
Next run: Monday, August 16---4 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Short Run With A Little Rain
Since our run got cut short yesterday, thanks to thunderstorms, lightning, and rain, we ran the 2 miles we missed from yesterday’s run today. We took it pretty easy, since we have our long run tomorrow morning, and don’t want to burn our legs out for only a 2 mile run. We set out to run it at a 12 minute a mile pace, but ended up running it in 21:55, which actually felt slow compared to yesterday’s 9:41 pace!
The best part of today’s run?! We actually had a little drizzle to run in for part of our run and it felt good to actually get to run in the “rain.” The weather was actually really good for this run. We started our run around 4:00 pm. The temperature was around 72 degrees, which felt great, even with 100% humidity. It was overcast and cloudy, which helped as well. The run felt great, but it was weird to run only 2 miles and stop. We wanted to run a little more, but knew we could not afford to with our long run the next day. So, we opted for a longer cool down instead to give our legs the needed rest.
Great run!
Today's run summary:
Miles---2
Time---21:55
Cool Down---16:45
Total Time---38:00
Total Calories---387
Total Miles Run---95
Next run: Saturday, August 14---12 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
The best part of today’s run?! We actually had a little drizzle to run in for part of our run and it felt good to actually get to run in the “rain.” The weather was actually really good for this run. We started our run around 4:00 pm. The temperature was around 72 degrees, which felt great, even with 100% humidity. It was overcast and cloudy, which helped as well. The run felt great, but it was weird to run only 2 miles and stop. We wanted to run a little more, but knew we could not afford to with our long run the next day. So, we opted for a longer cool down instead to give our legs the needed rest.
Great run!
Today's run summary:
Miles---2
Time---21:55
Cool Down---16:45
Total Time---38:00
Total Calories---387
Total Miles Run---95
Next run: Saturday, August 14---12 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Thunderstorms Are Not a Runner's Best Friend
Thunderstorms are not a runner’s best friend, but are very motivating! While we only got in 2 of our scheduled 4 miles in today due to a thunderstorm, we had a really good 2 miles. It was the fastest 2 miles that either of us has ever run during our short running career.
The weather has definitely been crazy this summer, so you don’t know what it is going to do from one minute to the next. We got a bad thunderstorm this morning, so I was hoping that the one they were calling for this afternoon wouldn’t actually hit us. Unfortunately it did, although not as bad as they were calling for, but it decided to head in our direction during our run. When we started our run there was a clear, blue sky in one direction, but if you turned around, it was cloudy and gray, but not really dark, so we decided we would try to get as much of our run in as possible.
Since we knew that it was very possible that another storm was going to hit us, we just ran a loop very close to our house, so we could get home quickly, if we needed to. We started our run around 5:30pm and got only about a 1/2 mile in before it started to get pretty dark. We could hear thunder in the distance, but wanted to try and get in at least 2 of the 4 miles. We got a mile and a half into our run and knew that we were only going to be able to get in 2 miles. It was getting darker and creeping up closer and closer to us as we ran, so we got to our 2 mile marker and cut through a side street to make our way back home before it hit us.
We were very happy to get in at least 2 miles today, since the weather was not going to cooperate. We ran 2 miles in 19:24! The first mile was 10:17, and the second mile was 9:07, which is a 9:46 a mile pace. Amazing what adrenaline can make you do and a thunderstorm on the horizon. Even though we ran much faster than we usually do, we both felt really good and actually felt like we still got a work out in. A short one nonetheless, but still a workout. We are hoping that we will be able to get 2 more miles in tomorrow outside, but if not there is always inside on a treadmill.
We made it home just in time, as there were a few bolts of lightning shortly after we got home. At this point it wasn’t even raining yet! By the time we got home and out of the shower it had started raining a little bit, but nothing terrible. We were a little mad the storm didn't end up being that bad. It hardly even rained. There was more thunder than anything else. We probably cut our run short for nothing, but better to be safe than sorry. It just gives us a chance to run a little bit tomorrow too! :)
Despite the weather, it was a great run and we were glad to get in the 2 miles we did. We felt great after our run even if it was only 2 miles.
Today's run summary:
Miles---2
Time---19:24
Cool Down---5:76
Total Time---25:00
Total Calories---364
Total Miles Run---93
Next run: Friday, August 13---2 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
The weather has definitely been crazy this summer, so you don’t know what it is going to do from one minute to the next. We got a bad thunderstorm this morning, so I was hoping that the one they were calling for this afternoon wouldn’t actually hit us. Unfortunately it did, although not as bad as they were calling for, but it decided to head in our direction during our run. When we started our run there was a clear, blue sky in one direction, but if you turned around, it was cloudy and gray, but not really dark, so we decided we would try to get as much of our run in as possible.
Since we knew that it was very possible that another storm was going to hit us, we just ran a loop very close to our house, so we could get home quickly, if we needed to. We started our run around 5:30pm and got only about a 1/2 mile in before it started to get pretty dark. We could hear thunder in the distance, but wanted to try and get in at least 2 of the 4 miles. We got a mile and a half into our run and knew that we were only going to be able to get in 2 miles. It was getting darker and creeping up closer and closer to us as we ran, so we got to our 2 mile marker and cut through a side street to make our way back home before it hit us.
We were very happy to get in at least 2 miles today, since the weather was not going to cooperate. We ran 2 miles in 19:24! The first mile was 10:17, and the second mile was 9:07, which is a 9:46 a mile pace. Amazing what adrenaline can make you do and a thunderstorm on the horizon. Even though we ran much faster than we usually do, we both felt really good and actually felt like we still got a work out in. A short one nonetheless, but still a workout. We are hoping that we will be able to get 2 more miles in tomorrow outside, but if not there is always inside on a treadmill.
We made it home just in time, as there were a few bolts of lightning shortly after we got home. At this point it wasn’t even raining yet! By the time we got home and out of the shower it had started raining a little bit, but nothing terrible. We were a little mad the storm didn't end up being that bad. It hardly even rained. There was more thunder than anything else. We probably cut our run short for nothing, but better to be safe than sorry. It just gives us a chance to run a little bit tomorrow too! :)
Despite the weather, it was a great run and we were glad to get in the 2 miles we did. We felt great after our run even if it was only 2 miles.
Today's run summary:
Miles---2
Time---19:24
Cool Down---5:76
Total Time---25:00
Total Calories---364
Total Miles Run---93
Next run: Friday, August 13---2 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Another Great Run
We got another late start, but still went for our run anyway, and we are so glad that we did! Today’s run was great. Rob and I both felt great. We are amazed at how much easier running is becoming, and how much better at it we are getting. We seem to be getting faster every time we run.
Tonight we started our run around 6:30 pm and it was still 90 degrees with 49% humidity. The best part about running at this time of night is that the sun is starting to go down, so our running route has a lot more shade, which makes it not feel quite as hot and humid out there.
Tonight’s 6 mile run felt amazing. By the time we were ready to get out there and run, neither one of us really felt like it, but knew we would feel better if we did. Once we got a couple miles in we both felt really good and were able to pick up our pace a little bit. For the first couple of miles we were around an 11:20 mile pace, and ended up finishing our 6 miles at an 11:06 per mile pace.
Great run tonight!
Today's run summary:
Miles---6
Time---66:37
Cool Down---23:63
Total Time---90:00
Total Calories---1190
Total Miles Run---91
Next run: Thursday, August 12---4 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
Tonight we started our run around 6:30 pm and it was still 90 degrees with 49% humidity. The best part about running at this time of night is that the sun is starting to go down, so our running route has a lot more shade, which makes it not feel quite as hot and humid out there.
Tonight’s 6 mile run felt amazing. By the time we were ready to get out there and run, neither one of us really felt like it, but knew we would feel better if we did. Once we got a couple miles in we both felt really good and were able to pick up our pace a little bit. For the first couple of miles we were around an 11:20 mile pace, and ended up finishing our 6 miles at an 11:06 per mile pace.
Great run tonight!
Today's run summary:
Miles---6
Time---66:37
Cool Down---23:63
Total Time---90:00
Total Calories---1190
Total Miles Run---91
Next run: Thursday, August 12---4 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Wonderful Book
Well…it didn’t take me long to finish reading Grete Waitz’s book “Run Your First Marathon: Everything You Need to Know to Reach the Finish Line.” I finished reading it yesterday before we went out for our run. I read it faithfully every day, even if I only got through one chapter, but read it nonetheless.
Definitely a must read for new runners and marathoners. This book gives you pretty much everything you need to know about running your first marathon. A very inspiring book that provides you with great advice, two different training programs depending on your fitness level when you start, and short motivational stories throughout to give you the confidence that you can do this too.
One part of the book that has stuck with me is the use of “power words” or a “mantra,” especially when you start to fatigue throughout a long run or the marathon itself. For example you could say to yourself as you are running, “I’m strong. I’m fit. I’ve trained hard for this. I believe in myself. I know I can do this” (Waitz, 99). According to Waitz, using a mantra helps to distract yourself from the fatigue or discomfort, and allows you to remain positive and finish the run or race (99).
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to new and future marathon runners. While reading this book I found myself getting more excited about running my first marathon. I think it helped to know and understand that Waitz, herself, even though she is a nine-time NYC marathon winner, didn’t always have a good run during her marathons. It just goes to show that it all depends on how you are feeling that day, the temperature, what you are running on, and the weather.
Definitely worth the money! Great read!
Definitely a must read for new runners and marathoners. This book gives you pretty much everything you need to know about running your first marathon. A very inspiring book that provides you with great advice, two different training programs depending on your fitness level when you start, and short motivational stories throughout to give you the confidence that you can do this too.
One part of the book that has stuck with me is the use of “power words” or a “mantra,” especially when you start to fatigue throughout a long run or the marathon itself. For example you could say to yourself as you are running, “I’m strong. I’m fit. I’ve trained hard for this. I believe in myself. I know I can do this” (Waitz, 99). According to Waitz, using a mantra helps to distract yourself from the fatigue or discomfort, and allows you to remain positive and finish the run or race (99).
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to new and future marathon runners. While reading this book I found myself getting more excited about running my first marathon. I think it helped to know and understand that Waitz, herself, even though she is a nine-time NYC marathon winner, didn’t always have a good run during her marathons. It just goes to show that it all depends on how you are feeling that day, the temperature, what you are running on, and the weather.
Definitely worth the money! Great read!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Another 4 Miles Completed
Today's run went pretty good. It was really hot, especially in the sun, and humid. Definitely cannot wait until this summer heat finally breaks, but figure that if we can run in this we can run in pretty much anything. We started our run around 4:15 pm and it was 90 degrees with 58% humidity.
Today I decided to use splits while we run to see how fast we are running each mile instead of just our pace for the entire run. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner. I guess I just didn't think about it, but am glad I did. Here is a breakdown of our splits for today's 4 mile run:
Mile 1---11:05:72
Mile 2---10:45:03
Mile 3---11:40:58
Mile 4---11:24:16
Really glad I did this today because we did not feel as fast as we were the first mile, and thought we had slowed down between miles 1 and 2, but once again, we were way off. It is good to see this so we can better know how to pace ourselves for the marathon. Overall it was a good run in the hot summer sun!
Today's run summary:
Miles---4
Time---44:55
Cool Down---18:45
Total Time---63:00
Total Calories---874
Total Miles Run---85
Next run: Wednesday, August 11---6 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
Today I decided to use splits while we run to see how fast we are running each mile instead of just our pace for the entire run. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner. I guess I just didn't think about it, but am glad I did. Here is a breakdown of our splits for today's 4 mile run:
Mile 1---11:05:72
Mile 2---10:45:03
Mile 3---11:40:58
Mile 4---11:24:16
Really glad I did this today because we did not feel as fast as we were the first mile, and thought we had slowed down between miles 1 and 2, but once again, we were way off. It is good to see this so we can better know how to pace ourselves for the marathon. Overall it was a good run in the hot summer sun!
Today's run summary:
Miles---4
Time---44:55
Cool Down---18:45
Total Time---63:00
Total Calories---874
Total Miles Run---85
Next run: Wednesday, August 11---6 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
10 + 1
Today is Saturday, which means it is our long run day, and today was our 11 mile run, or 10 + 1 as we called it. We called it 10 + 1 because we already knew that we could run 10 miles, and so it was only 1 more mile than last time. It was a wonderful morning for a long run. The temperature and humidity were just right. Temperature was in the mid-60’s and the humidity was around 50% or so at run time.
We started our run around 7:45 am. We decided to do our run at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis again this weekend. It is just so nice to run down there. A good portion of the trail is shaded, with some hills (both up and down), and some straight stretches, which makes for a good run. We both felt really good throughout the run today, much better than how we felt last during last Saturday’s run. Hopefully this is a sign that running is starting to get a little bit easier for both of us.
We finished our 11 mile run in 2:07:11, which is an 11:33 minute a mile pace. That was definitely faster than we planned on running it. We figured we would average around a 12 to 13 minute a mile pace. We were definitely shocked to realize we were under a 12 minute a mile pace because we didn’t feel we were running that fast. Sometimes we just get to talking and running and don’t realize the pace that we are running at. Overall it was a really good run. We felt good after the run, tired, but good.
On our drive back home after our run, I was thinking about what we just had done and said to Rob, “Did we just really run 11 miles?” At that point I didn’t feel like I had just ran 11 miles, nor for over 2 hours straight…until…I went to get out of the car. :) That was when I really started to feel the run. Will I do it again? Of course! I feel too great while running and right after not to. We have 26 total miles awaiting us this week!
Today's run summary:
Miles---11
Time---2:07:11
Cool Down---26:11
Total Time---2:33:00
Total Calories---1995
Total Miles Run---81
Next run: Monday, August 9---4 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
We started our run around 7:45 am. We decided to do our run at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis again this weekend. It is just so nice to run down there. A good portion of the trail is shaded, with some hills (both up and down), and some straight stretches, which makes for a good run. We both felt really good throughout the run today, much better than how we felt last during last Saturday’s run. Hopefully this is a sign that running is starting to get a little bit easier for both of us.
We finished our 11 mile run in 2:07:11, which is an 11:33 minute a mile pace. That was definitely faster than we planned on running it. We figured we would average around a 12 to 13 minute a mile pace. We were definitely shocked to realize we were under a 12 minute a mile pace because we didn’t feel we were running that fast. Sometimes we just get to talking and running and don’t realize the pace that we are running at. Overall it was a really good run. We felt good after the run, tired, but good.
On our drive back home after our run, I was thinking about what we just had done and said to Rob, “Did we just really run 11 miles?” At that point I didn’t feel like I had just ran 11 miles, nor for over 2 hours straight…until…I went to get out of the car. :) That was when I really started to feel the run. Will I do it again? Of course! I feel too great while running and right after not to. We have 26 total miles awaiting us this week!
Today's run summary:
Miles---11
Time---2:07:11
Cool Down---26:11
Total Time---2:33:00
Total Calories---1995
Total Miles Run---81
Next run: Monday, August 9---4 miles!
Thanks for following our journey!
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