Friday, October 24, 2008

30,000 plus ME!

I just got an e-mail newsletter from the Rock-n-Roll San Antonio folks and the RACE IS SOLD OUT!! WOW! I'm gonna be running with 30,000 other crazy people. Wow, I just hope, hope that it's not too crazy crowded. I've run the Chicago half a couple of times. Chicago is a fun race, but it gets really crowded and you tend to get "trapped" by a group of runners. That can totally be frustrating. But, what a great turn out for the inaugural SA race.

One last 18 miler this weekend and then it's official taper time. I've kept things pretty easy this week. Just a few three and four milers to try and keep my legs loosened up. I need to seriously slow my butt down for this weekend's 18 miler. I was definitely sore last week from the run. It's just so hard to hold yourself back when the run feels great. I may try for a negative split this weekend. That way I'll have a goal and it'll keep things interesting.

It's time for new shoes. I have a little over 300 miles on these puppies and I can start to tell in my ankles and knees. I'm getting exactly the same pair - I heart my Sauconys. That gives me three weeks to break them in and make sure they're right for the race.

I have definitely decided to work on my speed after this race. I'm now running 9:30s much, much easier. I can hold that pace for four or five miles and it feels like a comfortable pace. So, I've shaved a minute off my short run pace! I would like to get down to comfortable 9:00s. Other than fartleks, anyone have any advice for speed work??

I will leave you a cool factoid out of Women's Health Magazine this month:

39% = amount runners reduce their chance of an early death, compared with healthy adults of the same age. WOW!

Today I LOVE: That 9:30s are comfortable for me!!!!!!

6 comments:

Marlene said...

Hey Jen! Thanks for stopping by my blog. :)

Wow, 3 weeks til your first marathon! That was me just a month and a bit ago. Enjoy the experience and remember that the marathon is a REWARD for all of this training. Have fun.

BeachRunner said...

Thanks for the nice comment on my blog. Good luck with the 18 miler and your tapering. San Antonio sounds like a blast! Enjoy every bit of the experience.

Reese said...

"Yasso 800's" are considered good speed work. But it is just one version of intervals. You can "Google" the term, but basically it is running 800 meters (almost 1/2 mile) in your desired marathon time. If you want to run a 4:30 marathon, then run 4 minute 30 second intervals. Rest about 3 minutes between them. Start out with maybe 5 and work your way up to 10. Enjoy RnR San Antonio.

Unknown said...

Great job on cutting down your time. That always makes me feel good!

Here's some speed workouts that I have been doing:

1x1200
2x800
4x200

2x1-mile
6x200

I run these pretty hard, but not too hard so that I can finish them. Also, running with someone slightly faster helps a lot so that he/she pushes you, but also doesn't discourage you! Speed workouts rock!

Good luck!

Willie said...

You are such a stud. Look at you go!

The race should be a lot of fun with that many people. I'm so excited for you! You are going to totally dominate your first marathon!

RBR said...

Woo hoo! Taper time! It means your race is sooo close!

God, I wish 9:30's were comfortable, or even possible, for me! You are going to rock the hell out of San Antonio!