New Miles: 15.0 (5 + 3 + 7)
Total Miles: 275.75
Miles Remaining: 1324.25
Weight: N/A (around 136.0)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day Weekend Runs
Out of town for the weekend to enjoy the holiday with friends. In an effort to be healthy and maintain my running fitness I ran 5.0 miles on Thursday, May 26 in 57:00 minutes (didn't stop watch for stretch break). I did 3.0 miles on Friday, May 27 in 30:03. I did 5.0 miles in 47:51 then added two more on for a total of 7.0 miles in 1:08 on Saturday, May 28. On Sunday, May 29 I did not run but did a workout video with my friend - 12 minutes of intense core strengthening which resulted in my butt and arms being sore. On Monday, May 30 I rested feeling sore from the workout video and fine from all the running.
New Miles: 15.0 (5 + 3 + 7)
Total Miles: 275.75
Miles Remaining: 1324.25
Weight: N/A (around 136.0)
New Miles: 15.0 (5 + 3 + 7)
Total Miles: 275.75
Miles Remaining: 1324.25
Weight: N/A (around 136.0)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
You are a runner. Run!
I jogged around a soccer field for an hour reffing a soccer game rather than coaching it; it was a pleasant evening and on the way home with the wind thru my hair I felt so pumped up to go run. So I got home and headed out on a 2.0 mile run which I did in 24:01 minutes (not stopping the clock for stretch stoppages).It felt tough but good!
As I wanted to walk I envisioned a commercial for some sort of sports equipment that said "Deny the burning in your legs. Deny the burning in your lungs. You are a runner. Run!" It was motivational and I'd buy whatever product I was selling.
New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 260.75
Miles Remaining:1239.25
Weight: 135.2 (pre-dinner)
As I wanted to walk I envisioned a commercial for some sort of sports equipment that said "Deny the burning in your legs. Deny the burning in your lungs. You are a runner. Run!" It was motivational and I'd buy whatever product I was selling.
New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 260.75
Miles Remaining:1239.25
Weight: 135.2 (pre-dinner)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
No ifs, ands, or butts
Well I did succumb to that cold after all which left me high and dry in terms of running. Finally today I think my cold morphed into allergies of some kind as I continued to sneeze and have a runny nose but I didn't feel like I have a cold.
Up early and cleaned up around the house then did some yard work as Ryan did most of the yard work. Regardless it was hot and difficult to move so I give myself credit for doing something.
Onto the treadmill in the evening and finally got in some running. Just 2.0 miles but it was difficult, as I believe I have strained a butt muscle -- the one that hurt during the Half. It didn't hurt too much, or at least didn't feel like it was pulling, just that it was not happy, so I alternated walking and running in .25 increments with a stretch of .5 at 6.5mph at the end which was followed by .1 walking. Total Workout: 2.0 miles in 22:15 240cals 1% incline.
New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 258.75
Miles Remaining: 1241.25
Weight: 136.2
Up early and cleaned up around the house then did some yard work as Ryan did most of the yard work. Regardless it was hot and difficult to move so I give myself credit for doing something.
Onto the treadmill in the evening and finally got in some running. Just 2.0 miles but it was difficult, as I believe I have strained a butt muscle -- the one that hurt during the Half. It didn't hurt too much, or at least didn't feel like it was pulling, just that it was not happy, so I alternated walking and running in .25 increments with a stretch of .5 at 6.5mph at the end which was followed by .1 walking. Total Workout: 2.0 miles in 22:15 240cals 1% incline.
New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 258.75
Miles Remaining: 1241.25
Weight: 136.2
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
April showers bring May showers
Another dreary, rainy day yet my spirit was full as if the day were full of sunshine. I smiled as I put on my running shoes, I smiled as I stepped on the treadmill, and I smiled as I started walking then jogging. I think I am back to that point where not only do I enjoy working out but the thought of it makes me happy!
Unlike last year, just two days after the Half I feel good enough to work out again. True, my muscles are a bit sore, but all good soreness - the soreness that says "Woah you did something good for yourself!" And so today I smiled as I did a light workout to get my body recovered and to make my happy mind happy and satisfied.
I started off with a walk, jogged a little at 5.0mph and 5.5mph, walked a little then jogged a mile at 6.0mph, then walked a cool down. Simple, easy (though my legs and lungs did feel a bit otherwise for most of it) and hopefully just what I need to fend off what I sense to be an impending cold. Total Workout: 2.0 miles in 23:27 241cals.
To give you a fully picture of just how good I feel and excited I am about running: I have already looked at upcoming Half Marathon events and think I am going to register for them, as does Ryan. There is also a local 5K on July 4 that Ryan and I plan on doing with perhaps Bridgette and my two other sisters. I want to gobble up running experiences and the thought of more events makes me excited and happy.
The Best Thought: "Wow! I am happy!"
New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 256.75
Miles Remaining: 1243.25
Weight: 136.6
Unlike last year, just two days after the Half I feel good enough to work out again. True, my muscles are a bit sore, but all good soreness - the soreness that says "Woah you did something good for yourself!" And so today I smiled as I did a light workout to get my body recovered and to make my happy mind happy and satisfied.
I started off with a walk, jogged a little at 5.0mph and 5.5mph, walked a little then jogged a mile at 6.0mph, then walked a cool down. Simple, easy (though my legs and lungs did feel a bit otherwise for most of it) and hopefully just what I need to fend off what I sense to be an impending cold. Total Workout: 2.0 miles in 23:27 241cals.
To give you a fully picture of just how good I feel and excited I am about running: I have already looked at upcoming Half Marathon events and think I am going to register for them, as does Ryan. There is also a local 5K on July 4 that Ryan and I plan on doing with perhaps Bridgette and my two other sisters. I want to gobble up running experiences and the thought of more events makes me excited and happy.
The Best Thought: "Wow! I am happy!"
New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 256.75
Miles Remaining: 1243.25
Weight: 136.6
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Half Marathon: 2:06:46!
Up and at 'em at 5:00am. Put on my outfit which was all laid out and ready for me. Then out the door with Ryan at 5:30 off to the North Shore of Pittsburgh. Fueled up on half of a banana, a disgusting GU energy gel, and peanut butter on whole grain toast. Walked to the downtown area and used the Porta-Johns. Then we stretched some and went our separate ways - Ryan to the faster Coral B, me to the medium-paced Corral D. There I ran into my friend Darcy and so we located the 4:20 Marathon pacer - meaning a 2:10 Half Marathon pace and started there. One Star-Spangled Banner and several minutes of waiting later - we were off!
I ran with Darcy the first 2 miles at 10:00 pace. Then I headed off on my own and did some walking but mostly ran, making up for some lost time later since I had walked a bit more than expected. But soon I was back on track with keeping 10:00 pace minimums and then ever increasing speed, soon averaging 9:18 miles. At mile 6 I was solid on 10:00 pace; at the 10K split I was at 1:01:52.
Then the second half of the Half I felt faster and faster and felt better and better; other then my right groin feeling a bit sore (and needing to stretch that from time to time) and an actual pain in the butt on my right side which was there the whole time but more noticeable in the later miles.
At the Half Marathon-Full Marathon split I heard shouts of "Mo! Mo!" and I looked over and my friend Nikki was waving and shouting. So I wished her luck as my course split left and she kept on straight. Little did I know that Ryan had been running with Nikki and so a few minutes later I noticed a man running steadily on my left and turned to see Ryan! So from mile 10.5 til the end Ryan and I ran together. It was a wonderful surprise and great for motivation, and I am pretty sure the only time we will ever run and finish a Half together since he usually is much faster than me.
As I strolled thru the course, steady, strong, and comfortable Ryan had a completely different experience. First, yesterday he participated in a Gaelic Football 7-a-side tournament and made it to the finals and in that game he was kneed in the thigh -so he had a charlie horse to fend off. Second, as he was strolling along at mile 4 a girl passed out and face planted on the sidewalk in front of him. He shouted "Medic!" but no one was around so he back tracked 150 yards thru the course to the last police officer he had seen to get her help. Third, at that point he gave up, took off his bib and then started walking back to the car -- when he passed our friend Nikki and her friend Erin. So he put his bib back on and joined them and ran with them until he found me.
As we pushed out the last few miles it felt really good; quick pace, end in sight, none-dead legs. As we crossed together-ish Ryan said "Finish this out Mo!" and I pushed it out across the finish. Total: 13.1 in 2:06:46. Ryan finished in 2:13:31.
As we collected all the goodies - the medal, the blanket, the banana, the Eat n' Park cookie, the Panera cinnamon crunch bagel, the cup of Dole fruit - and we were about to leave I heard some shouts from 3 feet away of "Maur!" and I turned and Bridgette was there! She amazingly finished in 2:43:10, starting at 6:00am with the walkers and keeping quick pace there then taking on the challenge of running around mile 10. Ryan and I calculated out her pace and my pace and we figure I'd see her around mile 10 if she and I were doing well, and when I didn't see her I feared she had dropped out because her knee couldn't do it -- so I was so surprised and relieved and happy and proud to see not only that she completed it but that she had done so well!
Total Workout today was more than just 13.1, as plus the walk to the Start and the walk from the Finish = .65ish each way x 2 = 1.3ish = 14.5 miles.
Half Marathon Personal Record: 2:06:46!
I felt proud of me!
New Miles: 14.5
Total Miles: 254.75
Miles Remaining: 1245.25
Weight: 136.4 (pre-Half); 134.8 (post-Half)
I ran with Darcy the first 2 miles at 10:00 pace. Then I headed off on my own and did some walking but mostly ran, making up for some lost time later since I had walked a bit more than expected. But soon I was back on track with keeping 10:00 pace minimums and then ever increasing speed, soon averaging 9:18 miles. At mile 6 I was solid on 10:00 pace; at the 10K split I was at 1:01:52.
Then the second half of the Half I felt faster and faster and felt better and better; other then my right groin feeling a bit sore (and needing to stretch that from time to time) and an actual pain in the butt on my right side which was there the whole time but more noticeable in the later miles.
At the Half Marathon-Full Marathon split I heard shouts of "Mo! Mo!" and I looked over and my friend Nikki was waving and shouting. So I wished her luck as my course split left and she kept on straight. Little did I know that Ryan had been running with Nikki and so a few minutes later I noticed a man running steadily on my left and turned to see Ryan! So from mile 10.5 til the end Ryan and I ran together. It was a wonderful surprise and great for motivation, and I am pretty sure the only time we will ever run and finish a Half together since he usually is much faster than me.
As I strolled thru the course, steady, strong, and comfortable Ryan had a completely different experience. First, yesterday he participated in a Gaelic Football 7-a-side tournament and made it to the finals and in that game he was kneed in the thigh -so he had a charlie horse to fend off. Second, as he was strolling along at mile 4 a girl passed out and face planted on the sidewalk in front of him. He shouted "Medic!" but no one was around so he back tracked 150 yards thru the course to the last police officer he had seen to get her help. Third, at that point he gave up, took off his bib and then started walking back to the car -- when he passed our friend Nikki and her friend Erin. So he put his bib back on and joined them and ran with them until he found me.
As we pushed out the last few miles it felt really good; quick pace, end in sight, none-dead legs. As we crossed together-ish Ryan said "Finish this out Mo!" and I pushed it out across the finish. Total: 13.1 in 2:06:46. Ryan finished in 2:13:31.
As we collected all the goodies - the medal, the blanket, the banana, the Eat n' Park cookie, the Panera cinnamon crunch bagel, the cup of Dole fruit - and we were about to leave I heard some shouts from 3 feet away of "Maur!" and I turned and Bridgette was there! She amazingly finished in 2:43:10, starting at 6:00am with the walkers and keeping quick pace there then taking on the challenge of running around mile 10. Ryan and I calculated out her pace and my pace and we figure I'd see her around mile 10 if she and I were doing well, and when I didn't see her I feared she had dropped out because her knee couldn't do it -- so I was so surprised and relieved and happy and proud to see not only that she completed it but that she had done so well!
Total Workout today was more than just 13.1, as plus the walk to the Start and the walk from the Finish = .65ish each way x 2 = 1.3ish = 14.5 miles.
Half Marathon Personal Record: 2:06:46!
I felt proud of me!
New Miles: 14.5
Total Miles: 254.75
Miles Remaining: 1245.25
Weight: 136.4 (pre-Half); 134.8 (post-Half)
| Distance | HALF MAR |
| Clock Time | 2:16:19 |
| Chip Time | 2:06:46 |
| Overall Place | 3183 / 8974 |
| Gender Place | 1420 / 5563 |
| Division Place | 371 / 1286 |
| 10K | 1:01:52 |
| Divtotal | 1286 |
| Sextotal | 5563 |
| Pace | 9:41 |
Saturday, May 14, 2011
This is for real.
The Big Day is almost upon me and I am very nervous and very excited. I have been conserving my energy, carbo-loading from a delicious stew Ryan made, and hydrating. Today was my final run before the Big Run. I did 2.0 miles at 6.5mph (9:13) pace. Let's just say that at this stage that was supposed to be easy, yet it found a way to not be. So I am not letting that worry me though as I usually get over my tiredness and my body fighting off the running a few miles in - so I think tomorrow I shall be okay.
I went to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for the "Health and Fitness Expo" for the packet pick-up -- including my bib #11717 (for an OCD person like me that is a sweet number!) and my green long-sleeved dri-fit shirt you get for participating. While there I bought 5 GU energy gels - 3 for me, 2 for Ryan and of course I couldn't help myself from looking at the gear. I found the bright yellow LiveStrong Nike Dri-Fit short-sleeved shirt I've wanted and so got that - which I plan to wear for the Main Event. I also got a "Pittsburgh Marathon" running hat. Sadly they were lacking in "Half-Marathon" gear.
When I got home I drank some water and then I went on my run - decked out head-to-toe in the exact outfit I will be wearing tomorrow: Timex Ironman Triathlon watch, Bright Yellow Nike LiveStrong shirt, White with Yellow Nike sports bra, Black Nike running shorts, Green-swooshed Nike socks, and my LiveStrong gray and yellow shoes. I feel like a giant Nike advertisement. Free advertising aside, at least I also feel coordinated and more importantly I feel comfortable in the outfit.
So more about today's run... If tomorrow is as humid as today (87% humidity; 68 degrees) I am going to need to chug a gallon of Gatorade at every fluid station as I sweated so much in my 2 mile run + .25 warm-up/cool down. Total Workout: 2.5 miles in 26:28 298cals.
New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 240.25
Miles Remaining: 1259.75
Weight: 136.4 (or so my scale said, but I don't believe it)
I went to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for the "Health and Fitness Expo" for the packet pick-up -- including my bib #11717 (for an OCD person like me that is a sweet number!) and my green long-sleeved dri-fit shirt you get for participating. While there I bought 5 GU energy gels - 3 for me, 2 for Ryan and of course I couldn't help myself from looking at the gear. I found the bright yellow LiveStrong Nike Dri-Fit short-sleeved shirt I've wanted and so got that - which I plan to wear for the Main Event. I also got a "Pittsburgh Marathon" running hat. Sadly they were lacking in "Half-Marathon" gear.
When I got home I drank some water and then I went on my run - decked out head-to-toe in the exact outfit I will be wearing tomorrow: Timex Ironman Triathlon watch, Bright Yellow Nike LiveStrong shirt, White with Yellow Nike sports bra, Black Nike running shorts, Green-swooshed Nike socks, and my LiveStrong gray and yellow shoes. I feel like a giant Nike advertisement. Free advertising aside, at least I also feel coordinated and more importantly I feel comfortable in the outfit.
So more about today's run... If tomorrow is as humid as today (87% humidity; 68 degrees) I am going to need to chug a gallon of Gatorade at every fluid station as I sweated so much in my 2 mile run + .25 warm-up/cool down. Total Workout: 2.5 miles in 26:28 298cals.
New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 240.25
Miles Remaining: 1259.75
Weight: 136.4 (or so my scale said, but I don't believe it)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Conserve. Conserve. Conserve.
My current motto leading up to the Half Marathon, which is sprinting (not creeping) closer and closer, is "Conserve. Conserve. Conserve." as much energy as possible. So rather than a 3 mile run I got in a 5 mile walk in 1:17 with my sister Bridgette and my Uncle Frank, who had made a walk-and-talk date at North Park. So we walked and we talked and the weather was 79 degrees from 6:30-7:45. A gorgeous evening for a night out in nature with loved ones where the main accomplishment was the planning of the "30&30 Ultimate Armageddon Luau" party for the two of them.
No better way to round out the evening than a trip over to the local ice cream shop for the partaking in a milkshake. Yum!
New Miles: 5.0
Total Miles: 237.75
Miles Remaining: 1262.25
Weight: 137.0
No better way to round out the evening than a trip over to the local ice cream shop for the partaking in a milkshake. Yum!
New Miles: 5.0
Total Miles: 237.75
Miles Remaining: 1262.25
Weight: 137.0
Sunday, May 8, 2011
So Drained
Exhausted from the all day digging of a French Drain in the back yard and the go-go-go to visit my family and then watch a movie with friends - my Saturday tired me out for my Sunday because not enough sleep plus a lot of physical labor equals me napping a lot and being non-motivated to run.
But finally at 4:30 I got out in the gorgeous day and ran in the very warm sunshine on my new "familiar favorite" 3 mile route. Total Workout: 3.0 miles in 28:28 (this time I included my walk down the hill near rather than stopping the clock as I did last time).
When I got back I joined Ryan in the back yard where he had been working on more of the French Drain. I shoveled some stones into a wheelbarrow and used a a really heavy pick-axe-type-thing to break up dirt so that Ryan could then hoe and rake it, as another part of the backyard project is turning the old pool area into a lawn. Worked out my arm muscles and forced myself to still stand despite wanting to rest again; so I am counting that as cross-training.
New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 232.75
Miles Remaining: 1267.25
Weight: 138.4
But finally at 4:30 I got out in the gorgeous day and ran in the very warm sunshine on my new "familiar favorite" 3 mile route. Total Workout: 3.0 miles in 28:28 (this time I included my walk down the hill near rather than stopping the clock as I did last time).
When I got back I joined Ryan in the back yard where he had been working on more of the French Drain. I shoveled some stones into a wheelbarrow and used a a really heavy pick-axe-type-thing to break up dirt so that Ryan could then hoe and rake it, as another part of the backyard project is turning the old pool area into a lawn. Worked out my arm muscles and forced myself to still stand despite wanting to rest again; so I am counting that as cross-training.
New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 232.75
Miles Remaining: 1267.25
Weight: 138.4
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Beautiful Sun
Outdoor run. 3 miles in 27:20.
New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 229.75
Miles Remaining: 1270.25
Weight: 137.8
New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 229.75
Miles Remaining: 1270.25
Weight: 137.8
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tough but Easy
Two warm-up laps then each lap I increased my pace by .2mph. So I did laps at each .2mph interval from 6.4mph to 8.0mph (7:30 pace) and after each lap I did 15lb kettlebell throws 10 each arm.
Total Workout: 31:44 385cals 3.25
Most Motivating Songs:
Alison Krauss "We Hide & Seek"
Saul Williams "List of Demands"
New Miles: 3.25
Total Miles: 226.75
Miles Remaining: 1273.25
Weight: 138.6
Total Workout: 31:44 385cals 3.25
Most Motivating Songs:
Alison Krauss "We Hide & Seek"
Saul Williams "List of Demands"
New Miles: 3.25
Total Miles: 226.75
Miles Remaining: 1273.25
Weight: 138.6
Sunday, May 1, 2011
10 Miler
I thought I would title this "Too weeks. Too Weak." As I went to do the scheduled 8.0 miles I was feeling like it would be difficult, but by mile 3 I finally warmed-up well enough. Then by mile 5 I was in the zone. I got to mile 6.55 and did some "Half of a Half!" celebration "raise-the-roofs" as I did it in 65:41.
I did mile 1 at 6.4mph then miles 2-8 at 6.5mph, each mile walking .1 miles. So each mile was completed in 9:45. Leading into mile 8 I did Lap 2 at 6.7, then Lap 3 at 6.8, then Lap 4 at 7.1mph. I was feeling good and opted to keep going, mainly because I figured it was the one time pre-Half that I would run that much, and so I walked .1 then ran the rest of the mile at 6.5mph. Then I ran .25 at 6.5 then jogged .5 for a cool down at 5.5mph and walked the last .25 + .1 at 4.1mph. I did 9.5 miles in 89:05. And 10.0 in 99:14.
Total Workout: 1199cals 10.1 miles 101:07 (1:41:07 (1 hour 41 mins 7 seconds))
So I squeaked out a bonus 2 miles, which I should have done last week, and I felt good about it.
While running I played Brad Paisley's "The World" on loop for the last 3ish miles. It kept me in the zone. It was much better than what I experienced early on in the run - There was a motivating song which I learned was the thing keeping me running only once it ended and the 5 second pause felt unbearable and more like a 30 seconds-eternity. Each step felt
Most Motivating Songs:
Brad Paisley "The World"
Tim McGraw "How Bad Do You Want It?" - "How bad do you want it? How bad do you need it? Are you eatin', sleepin', dreamin' with that one thing on your mind?"
New Miles: 10.0
Total Miles: 223.5
Miles Remaining:1276.5
Weight: 138.6
I did mile 1 at 6.4mph then miles 2-8 at 6.5mph, each mile walking .1 miles. So each mile was completed in 9:45. Leading into mile 8 I did Lap 2 at 6.7, then Lap 3 at 6.8, then Lap 4 at 7.1mph. I was feeling good and opted to keep going, mainly because I figured it was the one time pre-Half that I would run that much, and so I walked .1 then ran the rest of the mile at 6.5mph. Then I ran .25 at 6.5 then jogged .5 for a cool down at 5.5mph and walked the last .25 + .1 at 4.1mph. I did 9.5 miles in 89:05. And 10.0 in 99:14.
Total Workout: 1199cals 10.1 miles 101:07 (1:41:07 (1 hour 41 mins 7 seconds))
So I squeaked out a bonus 2 miles, which I should have done last week, and I felt good about it.
While running I played Brad Paisley's "The World" on loop for the last 3ish miles. It kept me in the zone. It was much better than what I experienced early on in the run - There was a motivating song which I learned was the thing keeping me running only once it ended and the 5 second pause felt unbearable and more like a 30 seconds-eternity. Each step felt
Most Motivating Songs:
Brad Paisley "The World"
Tim McGraw "How Bad Do You Want It?" - "How bad do you want it? How bad do you need it? Are you eatin', sleepin', dreamin' with that one thing on your mind?"
New Miles: 10.0
Total Miles: 223.5
Miles Remaining:1276.5
Weight: 138.6
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