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
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Friday, March 9, 2007
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!!!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
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
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
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
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
Pace: 9:36
Weather: 7F
Average HR 159
Max HR 170
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
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.
I do promise I will run while training for Boston.
Monday, March 5, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
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!
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Lessons Learned
Two weeks ago on Columbus Day I did a 12 miler, the conditions were very tough that day, very cold and windy and really made it feel like a very tough run.
Today, I stepped it pushed myself and ending up doing 16 miles. Wow, impressive you might think, not at all, I took walk breaks every few miles in the beginning in the hope of keeping something in the tank for the end of the run.
By mile 12 I was already bonking and my hamstrings were aching. Forced into walk breaks during the last 4 miles. I really wish it was a Half-Marathon, now I could do that.In the end, I was out on my feet for close to 3 hrs, which is good preparation now I just need to get stronger and tougher. Need to also try different food, the Clif Shots and Gatorade, did not bode well in my stomach at all.
I learnt a lot today, one of the things was that I am very under-prepared, I am going to use this information positively and respect the course, the distance. I cannot rush in and start doing high mileage weeks, I am going to monitor my heart-rate and try and it get it lower in the next few weeks, work my legs and get them stronger for the up and downhills.
When I finished running today, I was like, “only 10 more miles to go” I think 10 more steps would be suit me better.
Today, I stepped it pushed myself and ending up doing 16 miles. Wow, impressive you might think, not at all, I took walk breaks every few miles in the beginning in the hope of keeping something in the tank for the end of the run.
By mile 12 I was already bonking and my hamstrings were aching. Forced into walk breaks during the last 4 miles. I really wish it was a Half-Marathon, now I could do that.In the end, I was out on my feet for close to 3 hrs, which is good preparation now I just need to get stronger and tougher. Need to also try different food, the Clif Shots and Gatorade, did not bode well in my stomach at all.
I learnt a lot today, one of the things was that I am very under-prepared, I am going to use this information positively and respect the course, the distance. I cannot rush in and start doing high mileage weeks, I am going to monitor my heart-rate and try and it get it lower in the next few weeks, work my legs and get them stronger for the up and downhills.
When I finished running today, I was like, “only 10 more miles to go” I think 10 more steps would be suit me better.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Rest Day - Great Marathon Training
In anticipation of a much needed long run, I am taking another rest day. How about that? Two rest days to start my training for my first Boston Marathon – great Marathon training plan or what.
To give a bit of back-ground I was already gearing up for a Half-Marathon on March 24, in New York City, so I have been doing some long runs over 10 miles. There is a long way to go though for Boston.
I talked to Conor (my husband) last night, who is such a great supporter of my running and my goals. We both agreed that while I am far from ready to do it for a time goal, I am capable of finishing it. So the plan is too get to the starting line injury-free, enjoy the day, the runners, the spectators, and the course.
To give a bit of back-ground I was already gearing up for a Half-Marathon on March 24, in New York City, so I have been doing some long runs over 10 miles. There is a long way to go though for Boston.
I talked to Conor (my husband) last night, who is such a great supporter of my running and my goals. We both agreed that while I am far from ready to do it for a time goal, I am capable of finishing it. So the plan is too get to the starting line injury-free, enjoy the day, the runners, the spectators, and the course.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Boston Marathon Bib
I awoke to the familiar beeps of my alarm clock at 6:15am, I dragged myself out of bed my legs felt pretty stiff from my first hill workout of months the day before. I sleepily, logged online and sent a message to my running buddy Geraldine to say that I was going to get another hour’s sleep and let my legs recover.
Fast forward to a couple of hours later, when an email called, “Boston Marathon Bib” was sent to me.The email said “I have one BM non-qualifying bib left.. do you want it?” Do I want it!!! At this point I think I actually closed the email and opened it again and re-read it. Damn, I really should have gotten up and RAN this morning.
In 2000 I experienced my first Boston Marathon as a spectator, I was a non-runner in those days and pretty much a sedate person. My uncle was running and while I was not there to see him as such, I was just hanging out with friends enjoying what I thought would be my only time to witness this great event. I was working for a 15 month period in Boston and did not know at that time that 7 years later I would end up with my green card and call Boston – home.
A few years later in 2003 I was conned into running a 5K. I completed it in 28 mins 34 seconds and was hooked. I loved that I just had completed a distance I had never done before. I loved the atmosphere of all the people, male, female, young, old, athletic and not so athletic, out there at the starting line, running for many different reasons.
Since then I have done more 5ks, some 5 milers, a 10k, Half-Marathon and to me the longest distance I will ever try the Marathon. I have discovered that I have lots of endurance, but not great speed. I have watched Boston Marathon now for several more years, and become fascinated with this historic event.I have nothing but respect and admiration for all the thousands of runners, who have lined up in Hopkinton and traveled the 26.2 miles to Bolyston Street.
My home is right in Cleveland Circle about the 22 mile point and my typical run most days is a few miles of the route and back home. While I run I do think of the many outstanding athletes who have run the last four miles of the Boston marathon on this very route. I have visualized the day when I would be running this route as part of my first Boston marathon.
Well it looks like on April 16, 2007 I will be running the 111th Boston Marathon. Typically I am not a fan of odd numbers, but 111 really appeals to me right now!
My dream has been to run Boston, luckily for me dreams do come true.
Fast forward to a couple of hours later, when an email called, “Boston Marathon Bib” was sent to me.The email said “I have one BM non-qualifying bib left.. do you want it?” Do I want it!!! At this point I think I actually closed the email and opened it again and re-read it. Damn, I really should have gotten up and RAN this morning.
In 2000 I experienced my first Boston Marathon as a spectator, I was a non-runner in those days and pretty much a sedate person. My uncle was running and while I was not there to see him as such, I was just hanging out with friends enjoying what I thought would be my only time to witness this great event. I was working for a 15 month period in Boston and did not know at that time that 7 years later I would end up with my green card and call Boston – home.
A few years later in 2003 I was conned into running a 5K. I completed it in 28 mins 34 seconds and was hooked. I loved that I just had completed a distance I had never done before. I loved the atmosphere of all the people, male, female, young, old, athletic and not so athletic, out there at the starting line, running for many different reasons.
Since then I have done more 5ks, some 5 milers, a 10k, Half-Marathon and to me the longest distance I will ever try the Marathon. I have discovered that I have lots of endurance, but not great speed. I have watched Boston Marathon now for several more years, and become fascinated with this historic event.I have nothing but respect and admiration for all the thousands of runners, who have lined up in Hopkinton and traveled the 26.2 miles to Bolyston Street.
My home is right in Cleveland Circle about the 22 mile point and my typical run most days is a few miles of the route and back home. While I run I do think of the many outstanding athletes who have run the last four miles of the Boston marathon on this very route. I have visualized the day when I would be running this route as part of my first Boston marathon.
Well it looks like on April 16, 2007 I will be running the 111th Boston Marathon. Typically I am not a fan of odd numbers, but 111 really appeals to me right now!
My dream has been to run Boston, luckily for me dreams do come true.
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