Surprise surprise...

I met all my goals! (Technically).

To review, my race goals were:

1. PR (sub-2:21.57)
2. Break 2:20
3. Sub-10:40 average

My final time was 2:19.45 (10:40 average). However, my Garmin registered 13.11 miles and a 10:39 average. So, technically, I had a sub-10:40 average. The other goals I definitely met, no technicalities about it!

I am very happy with the result. I have had a cold the past several days, and woke up with a stuffed up nose that stuck with me throughout the race. I also slept horribly last night and got maybe 2-3 hours of real sleep. So, I did not have high expectations for the race. But the race turned out great! The rest of the day was very fun as well, including lunch with our friend who is graduating from UO law school this week (!!), and eating at every one of our favorite Eugene spots.

Race report tomorrow...this tired girl is going to bed!

Race Goals

As usual I am getting more anxious and stressed out the closer it gets to the race. Today while we were walking around after the expo the back of my leg/hip started to hurt. Hopefully this is not a sign that it will give me issues tomorrow. If all goes well in the morning, these are the goals I am aiming for...

1. PR (sub-2:21.57)
2. Break 2:20
3. Sub-10:40 average

At my last race I met all of my goals. I don't want to be overconfident that I will meet them this time, but I'm hopeful I can accomplish at least one of them. I know this is probably my last "real" effort at a half until fall, so I want to make it count!

See you on the flip side...

Training Week 16 Recap (Taper)

Sunday - Ran 7 miles @5mph
Monday - Biked 8.5 miles, swam 1000 yards
Tuesday - Ran 3 miles @5.7mph
Wednesday - Walked 1 mile
Thursday - Ran 3 miles @5.6mph
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Rest

Taper week hasn't gotten exactly as planned. I haven't been able to sleep well at night, I'm not sure if this is related to tapering or something else. It has been a very stressful week at work so it might be partly due to that. I had to take sleeping pills 2 different nights, and I still didn't sleep that much. I have a cold that luckily hasn't been that bad (thank goodness!) but hopefully it clears up a little more by Sunday. It's hard enough trying to breath through my nose when it's not stuffed up!

Goals post tomorrow. Time to take another sleeping pill!

Ugh

Sick :(

It is so convenient that the first time I get sick this year is 5 days before a half-marathon. Way to go, immune system!

Coincidentally a few other bloggers are also sick right now, so I don't feel so alone. At least I got to work from home today (I usually work in the office on Wednesdays).

I am pretty sure I am still going to do the race, unless I get drasticly worse by Sunday. At least I am tapering so my body is getting extra rest anyway. I only have 1 more run left tomorrow and then 2 rest days. I'll use my extra energy to will my body to get better.

My eyeballs hurt. Probably time to put the computer away.

Eating, running, reading

I cannot believe how much food I consumed this weekend. It started with an innocent trip to the grocery store during which a few items of Easter candy were purchased, combined with hubby bringing home a bag full of Paradise cookies, going out to dinner with my parents at an establishment that makes the best brownies known to man, followed by a gut-busting brunch this morning that included doughnut muffins (amazing!) and cinnamon roll biscuits, topped off with additional Easter candy.

Thank goodness for running is all I can say.

I had my last long run of training today, it went pretty well. Much better than last weekend's long run, I only did 7 miles but I felt good at the end, I didn't walk any of it, and I drank less than 1 bottle of water (compared to last week when I needed 3 bottles). It makes me a little more confident for my half-marathon.

I have been doing a good amount of reading lately. I am developing a nice stack of books on my nightstand:



I can't remember the last book I read (or magazine for that matter) that was not related to running. Is it bad that I like to spend all my non-training time doing training-related reading, eating, and writing?

Training Week 15 Recap

Holy cow I have been training for 15 weeks straight!

Sunday - Ran 11 miles @5mph
Monday - Swam 750 yards
Tuesday - Biked 13 miles
Wednesday - Ran 4.5 miles @5.7, 5.5, 5.3
Thursday - Biked 15 miles, 60 minutes Zumba, swam 1000 yards
Friday - Ran 4.5 miles @5.2 with 6 X 400 (2 @6.6, 2 @6.7, 2 @6.8)
Saturday - Rest day (i.e. eat lots of Easter candy and hope I can work it off during my long run on Sunday)

Next week I am tapering, then on Saturday we head down to Eugene! The current weather forecast for next Sunday is partly cloudy, high of 61. Perfect! I am feeling much better physically and energy-wise than I did at this point in my training for my last half-marathon. Besides my tough 11-miler last weekend, all of my workouts have been pretty good.

Tomorrow I have my last long run, 7 miles, hopefully to be done after church. Hope everyone has a happy Easter!

Three Things Thursday

1. Keeping with theme of three, I had three great workouts today! This morning I did a 15-mile ride on the trainer before work. Then right after work I went to a Zumba class with my friend Rachelle. After Zumba I came home and put my suit on and went for a swim at the gym. I swam 1000 yards straight! I can't believe it. Exactly 2 weeks ago I had my first swim of training and I swam in 25 and 50 yard increments.

2. Yesterday and today I have run, biked, and swam (swum?) distances longer than those required in my sprint tri. I am feeling pretty confident I can complete it so now I am working on a time goal. I think right now, my goal is 1 hour, 45 minutes. 20 minute swim, 50 minute bike, 30 minute run, and 5 minutes for transitions. I have no idea if this will actually happen, but I'm optimistic.

3. I found out yesterday that my hubby has all of next weekend off and gets to come to Eugene and run the half-marathon with me! Yay! I'm so excited! He has been wanting to go to Eugene for awhile so it works out great. Can't wait!