The Good and the Bad

The past week of training has been both good and bad for different reasons. I only had one training run last week, that was on Wednesday, it was a good run and I enjoyed it.  Just had too much going on to get the other run in for the week but since I had done extra the week before I didn't feel bad about it.  Then on Sunday I figured out why you don't try new things out on your long runs.  Before on my long runs I had been taking gummy bears along as a snack to give me some energy.  Well I decided that I should try one of the gels that is out there to give me that extra pick me up during the run.  I picked up some lemon-lime GU.  My run was suppose to be 12.5 miles which I thought would be no problem.  Started off pretty good at about a 12:30 pace, had a problem with my sock at 4 miles, stopped and fixed that which slowed my pace to right around 13.  After 7 miles I decided to try the first of the GUs,  the taste was nothing to write home about  gave me a little energy and kept going. My stomach started acting up but didn't think much of it, after mile 10 I had the other GU and that is when the problems began. By this time my stomach was having a really bad problem and finally after mile 11 I knew I couldn't run any more with out having a very serious problem so I ended up walking back to the house.  My total mileage for the day was 11.75 so three quarters of a mile short of the goal.  I now know not to get GU. I am going to try some Cliff Blocks on a couple of my short runs next week and see how the effect me.  Otherwise it is back to the gummy bears.

Now for the really good thing. Tonight I did two short runs.  The first was with Ashlee and Lissa, it was their first training run to prepare for the Mickey Mile at Disney in January.  Together we did 1.1 miles.  I don't want them to hurt themselves so I am showing them the Galloway system.  It wasn't a real quick run, we did a 15:23 pace which for them starting is fine.  Would like to see them be able to do the mile in 11:00 but just want them to finish and enjoy themselves.  Then after we got home I waited a while then went out and did my normal 3.1 miles and enjoyed every step.

Only 31 days until the Disney Half Marathon.

Where I'm At

This past Sunday I ran in the 34th Annual City of Palms River Run 10k, I finished with a chip time of 1:14:21.  My goal for the race was 1:15:00 so I beat that.  The only problem I had with the race was the Florida hills, for those that don't know the hills are also known as bridges.  The first one wasn't bad and didn't slow me up but the second one at mile 5 was a killer and killed my pace, could have finished in under 1:10 with out the hills.  Using the time calculaters that are out there it works out that I should be able to do the half in under 2:45:00.  I am very happy with my progress and I think I'm doing good and hope to keep improving.

This has turned into a habit for me and something that I hope to always keep doing.  I have already decided to do a second half marathon in March.  I will keep running races and trying to improve for as long as I can.  I may train to do a full marathon in 2014 and who knows what after that.

I'm very happy I have friends that are behind me and supporting me in my effort.  I'm not sure I could do it with out them and my family.  Thank you all of you.