Gained some confidence

Today was all about improving on last weeks long run. No increase in distance, today's run was all about feeling more comfortable, building some confidence.

Anne one of my regular long run buddies, really kept me going last week and was very tolerant of my needing to stop for walking breaks. This week I think we both enjoyed the run a little more and we definitely both agreed that I was stronger this week.

The route we take down Beacon St, to St Mary's across BU bridge, around the Charles River and back up Beacon is a great route. You meet so many people along the way walking, running, biking, that it is such a great feeling to be out there and active.

There off course the annoying ones who never move out of your way, and just assume that is easier for you to move than them. For someone as as uncoordinated as me, that is not possible. So I am one of those runners with road rage at times, but then I run another mile and calmness surrounds me.

So today's run was more successful, I felt great, it took longer for my legs to get tired, my two walking breaks coincided with my GU breaks. Which I used a different one this week and also watered down my Gatorade and my stomach definitely felt much better for it.

All in all, I saw great improvements today, read for yourself below.

My confidence is restored and somehow even though I have 10 miles to go, at least the first 16 miles felt a little easier.

Last Saturdays 16-miler

Weather: 55F
Avg Pace: 10:26
Avg HR: 161
Max HR 173
Time: 2hr 47

Today's 16 miler

Weather: 40F
Avg Pace: 9:54
Avg HR: 157
Max HR: 171
Time: 2hr 38

Stretch a little, stretch a lot

Ok , since I am not out to break records or break down. Today is another rest day. Maybe I will break records for the most rest days during Marathon Training.Stretched, rested in preparation for Saturday!!!

Lungs and Legs

Wow, this must be a record, two days in a row running. Funny ain't I.

Geraldine stood me up but I got on with it. I did hill repeats on Summit Avenue x4 times. Summit Hill is a really steep hill just off Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner, I run up half the hill, then down the adjoining street onto Beacon Street and then back up.

The lungs and legs both felt this one today. Afterwards I felt totally invigorated and totally enjoyed this.

Pace: 9:34
Weather: 9F
Average HR: 157
Max HR: 172

Long overdue 5 mile run

Right no messing around today, steady 5 miles with Geraldine my AM running buddy. Hip fine, legs fine. Happy with my decision to sit it out yesterday.

Pace: 9:36
Weather: 7F
Average HR 159
Max HR 170

Cold One - I will sit this one out.

Today is a cold one, temperatures below freezing. My hip does feel better, but I have learnt with aches that sometimes two days rest is wise. Running today, could be my undoing. I am going to errr on the side of caution, and rest one more day. Plus running in the cold tends to make muscle aches more achy.

I do promise I will run while training for Boston.

Everything hurts

Ok, legs hurt, butt hurts, it all hurts. When I stand up and sit down my left hip hurts. That is what 16 miles will do to you.So needless to say today is a no-running day, seem to have more rest days don’t I than running days.

Maybe I will create the ‘Emma Bagnell Marathon Plan’Not too concerned, I knew I would be hurt increasing the mileage like that.

The one thing that still concerns me about my long run Saturday is that my heart-rate was higher than normal. So hoping this week I can do a few steady days of running in order to lower that and be more comfortable during the long runs.

Foolish Girl

The legs were heavy today, but not the worst that I have experienced, which was good as I did a 9 mile training walk with the Avon Walkers preparing for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which is on May 19-20 right here in Boston.

I shared my news about the Boston Marathon with them, they were thrilled as a few weeks ago I told them my dream was to run Boston one day.We actually walked from Cleveland Circle, out Beacon Street to Newton and then back in Comm Ave. We were passed by lots of runners gearing up for Boston on the Newton hills, they were running right by me as I walked the hills.

I was totally freaked out by it all, most of them were effortless as they have probably doing this route since January. I know this is where I should be, getting my mind and body prepared for the tough challenge that lies ahead on Marathon Day. Somehow though I am in slight denial.

At the top of heartbreak hill I talked with a runner, who was manning a water stop for folks, I asked him was he not running Boston. He told me he was just coming back from injuries and that “only a fool would run Boston under-prepared”.

I am sure those words will come back to haunt me at some point on my 26.2 journey…. “Only a fool would run Boston under-prepared” There is no shame in being foolish, is there!