On Saturday I set off for my long run. This one with a few more kms, inching ever closer to the goal of 21kms. This week it was 18kms. From the many books on running that I have read, I know that 18 is the magic number. It's enough kms to get me across the finish line. And since I'm in it to complete, not compete, that's all I need. Looking back a few months when I first got this genius idea, I never thought that's I'd get to this point in July - a full month before race day. I thought my planned August holidays would leave me rushing to fit everything in, and obsessing about it while I'm soaking up the sun in Bali. Boy, am I happy to be ahead of the game. With this progress I have a few more weeks to add an extra km or 2, making race day that much easier.
The long run wasn't too bad, once I got into it. Mind you it took about 7kms to get into it. Not good. But the second half was great - running with ease and a smile on my pace.
I have 2 weeks until I head off on holidays, and so far the plan is this - 15km race on July 31, another long run (18/19kms) during the week before I go, a few runs whilst away, a 12km race on Aug 21 when I'm back, then one week of taper before the big day on Aug 28th!
The big day will be here before I know it!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Another week of trainer done. Hurrah!
This week I tried out a running group near my home, and it was quite the experience. The group runs for about 1 hour, which was fine, but it was a small group of people who have been running together for a few years, so they were all a bit faster than I was. The start of the run was uphill, and going at a rather steady pace. I made it through the run, puff a lot, but I still made it! As soon as I was done I was feeling spent, and the next day my legs were a bit sore - that hasn't happened in a while! I'm going to go back this week, and it should really help up my endurance and strength being pushed that little bit.
My long run this week was a whopping 16km. It was very similar to my long route the other week, with a few little add ons to get those extra kms in there. I must say it went much better than last time. It did take me a few kms to get into it, but once I did, it was a great run. The last few kms I ended up finding a trail, so I went off road - the change in terrain was a bit of a shock to my legs, but it was all good. I'm now only just bit over 5kms off of the half marathon distance - hard to believe!!
5k PB 35:16
10k PB 1:00:10
Next race is in 2 weeks!
42 Days till the half marathon
This week I tried out a running group near my home, and it was quite the experience. The group runs for about 1 hour, which was fine, but it was a small group of people who have been running together for a few years, so they were all a bit faster than I was. The start of the run was uphill, and going at a rather steady pace. I made it through the run, puff a lot, but I still made it! As soon as I was done I was feeling spent, and the next day my legs were a bit sore - that hasn't happened in a while! I'm going to go back this week, and it should really help up my endurance and strength being pushed that little bit.
My long run this week was a whopping 16km. It was very similar to my long route the other week, with a few little add ons to get those extra kms in there. I must say it went much better than last time. It did take me a few kms to get into it, but once I did, it was a great run. The last few kms I ended up finding a trail, so I went off road - the change in terrain was a bit of a shock to my legs, but it was all good. I'm now only just bit over 5kms off of the half marathon distance - hard to believe!!
5k PB 35:16
10k PB 1:00:10
Next race is in 2 weeks!
42 Days till the half marathon
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Another run bites the dust!
Another race under my belt, and with it some stunning results!
Going into the last race in the Run Auckland Series, there was lots of talk of it being and flat and fast course, so I was hoping to better my PB. And I was aiming high! I wanted a 1hour finish time, and I thought it was within my reach. Luckily I know myself well, and I was only 10seconds over my desired time of 1 hour. And in my books, that's a huge success.
The race started out slow, with lots of people, so making my way through the start and getting the space to get to my pace took a little while. For the first bit of the run my legs felt a bit heavy and I was wondering if I was going to be able to better my time, but as I rounded on to the long straight away I got into my groove and things started to feel better. Thoroughly checking out the route would have helped me mentally, as there were a few twists and turns in the last 2kms, so I was a little disoriented, and the start line took me by surprise. Mind you, a good surprise! As I came up to the hairpin turn before the start, I could already see the clock - and it had just passed 30mins. I was right on track for a 1 hour finish, as long as I could keep my pace. The second lap started well, then between km 1 and 2 I lost my pace and ended up having to stop for a few seconds of walking to reset. Then I was off! The second lap is better, because you know exactly what is coming, so there is no fear of the unknown. As I came closer to the end, I switched on a good song on my ipod and opened up my stride. The last km saw me over take a few people, and as I approached the finish line, with only the hairpin turn left, I saw the clock say 1:00:30 - if I wanted to get in around the 1 hour mark I would have to keep my sprint till I got over the line. And I did! I knew that I crossed the line at the start a good 30 seconds in, so I knew I was within a few seconds of my 1 hour goal. It wasn't until the results went up tonight that I confirmed that I did the race in 1:00:10 - a fabulous time. And I had a negative split (second lap was faster than my first) - even with that bit of walking I did.
I'm so pleased! Can't wait for the next race!!!
5k PB 35:16
10k PB 1:00:10
Next race is in 3 weeks!
49 Days till the half marathon
Going into the last race in the Run Auckland Series, there was lots of talk of it being and flat and fast course, so I was hoping to better my PB. And I was aiming high! I wanted a 1hour finish time, and I thought it was within my reach. Luckily I know myself well, and I was only 10seconds over my desired time of 1 hour. And in my books, that's a huge success.
The race started out slow, with lots of people, so making my way through the start and getting the space to get to my pace took a little while. For the first bit of the run my legs felt a bit heavy and I was wondering if I was going to be able to better my time, but as I rounded on to the long straight away I got into my groove and things started to feel better. Thoroughly checking out the route would have helped me mentally, as there were a few twists and turns in the last 2kms, so I was a little disoriented, and the start line took me by surprise. Mind you, a good surprise! As I came up to the hairpin turn before the start, I could already see the clock - and it had just passed 30mins. I was right on track for a 1 hour finish, as long as I could keep my pace. The second lap started well, then between km 1 and 2 I lost my pace and ended up having to stop for a few seconds of walking to reset. Then I was off! The second lap is better, because you know exactly what is coming, so there is no fear of the unknown. As I came closer to the end, I switched on a good song on my ipod and opened up my stride. The last km saw me over take a few people, and as I approached the finish line, with only the hairpin turn left, I saw the clock say 1:00:30 - if I wanted to get in around the 1 hour mark I would have to keep my sprint till I got over the line. And I did! I knew that I crossed the line at the start a good 30 seconds in, so I knew I was within a few seconds of my 1 hour goal. It wasn't until the results went up tonight that I confirmed that I did the race in 1:00:10 - a fabulous time. And I had a negative split (second lap was faster than my first) - even with that bit of walking I did.
I'm so pleased! Can't wait for the next race!!!
5k PB 35:16
10k PB 1:00:10
Next race is in 3 weeks!
49 Days till the half marathon
Monday, July 4, 2011
The long road to Takapuna
So I did my long run yesterday, and because my runs are getting longer and longer, and I didn't want to just run an extension of the loop I've done a few times already I decided to go one way. I got on to Map My Run and started trying out the possibilities. And the winner ended up being a daunting run from home to Takapuna. To put this into perspective, Takapuna is about a 15 - 20 min drive away, far down the shore and just a hop skip and a jump across the water from the CBD. In other words, it's pretty damn far! And as far as it seems mentally, looking at the map just made it worse.
Of course, I knew that I was only upping my mileage slightly, and that I had the fitness to complete, but it was still a little intimidating! To make it easier for me, I arranged to meet a friend in Takapuna after my run for a catch up, so the entire way down I had the reward of seeing here to keep me going (and the time limit for my run, if I wasn't to make her wait around for me).
All in all the run was pretty good. I was slow and steady, but I got there. Around km 11 my knee started to get a bit sensitive, and I eased off from then on, walking more and more. But the end result was a pace not far off of my normal long run pace. So I'm very happy - especially when I look at the map!
Of course, I knew that I was only upping my mileage slightly, and that I had the fitness to complete, but it was still a little intimidating! To make it easier for me, I arranged to meet a friend in Takapuna after my run for a catch up, so the entire way down I had the reward of seeing here to keep me going (and the time limit for my run, if I wasn't to make her wait around for me).
All in all the run was pretty good. I was slow and steady, but I got there. Around km 11 my knee started to get a bit sensitive, and I eased off from then on, walking more and more. But the end result was a pace not far off of my normal long run pace. So I'm very happy - especially when I look at the map!
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