14, 4 & 4 Mile Runs...Sun to Rain!

3 Runs! That's what I have done since we have last talked! 14 Miles with Kerrie, 4 Miles on Ruston and a speed work out with Janette today! All in all they have been great runs. Who am I kidding; even a bad run is a good run these days.
Let’s start from the VERY BEGGINING, a very good place to start (Sound of Music). Sorry about that but, everything is either a song or an SNL skit to me.

Great 14 miler with a great running buddy! 

I was so excited that it was a TAPER week for both, Kerri and I. We haven't run since our first run together a month or so ago so I was looking forward to catching up with her as she is getting sooooo close to her VERY first MARATHON. The DAY was BEAUTIFUL with the SUN shining, no clouds in the sky and even warm. I texted her earlier in the week to let her know we will be going on an adventure because we were going to run the BPA trail which I had never been on before.

• We stopped to take pictures in my favorite running spot because it’s downhill and also have a great view of Mt. Rainier...double GREAT!

• We made it up Mile-Long Hill and I told her that was the last BIG hill of the day. (Note to self, don't say that when you don't know the course even if on mapmyrun.com it doesn’t show big elevation).
• We turned onto the BPA trail and it was wonderful, I love being on a trail. We came to this beautiful viewpoint but it was a very steep downhill which would not be bad if we weren't coming back this way! Woops, well maybe the elevation chart on mapmyrun.com hadn’t been on BPA trail either? It was a hilly trail. Good thing I said "It would be an Adventure".
• I tried some new energy gels and I loved my Power Bar Energy Strawberry Banana, it tasted kind of like yogurt, yummy and then I also had Gu Jet Blackberry which was good too. No stomach issues which made me happy.
• At the end of our run there was not as much talking as we were both tired and ready to be done. It’s amazing how much motivation and encouragement you get from running with someone. You keep going when you might otherwise stop. If it wasn’t for Kerrie I would have stopped and been happy with 10 or 12 miles that day.
• We finished mid-way up Nice Hill and were happy to be done! So much for "Last Hill" at mile 2. Sprinted back to the gym! A little extra mileage to give it our all.

May 7, 2010 Stats:

Miles: 14.22

Pace: 11

Time: 2:36

Calories: 1804

Thanks Kerrie for going on the 14 mile adventure of twist, turns and HILLS! I love running with friends who are going after the same goal. We both have our first Marathon in June, can’t wait.

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4 Miles on Mother’s Day!

Love the view at Ruston...So pretty!

When I think of a perfect day it would always start with a run. I was hoping to get a run in on mother’s day but after the day went on I didn't think it would happen. After a morning and afternoon with my lovely family I decided to end it solo at a movie and maybe even a run! Packed my running gear and hoped the sun would still be shining after I got out of my movie, to my luck it was! Went to Ruston Way which is totally flat and on the waterfront, it's beautiful.  I never get to run on a flat course so I was excited to just run and not have to worry about any hills on this course.  I had to change in my van, so glad I have a van to do this. There were a ton of people out and about.  I wanted to take it slow since I had a speed workout planned with Janette Monday. There were so many people and it made me speed up so I could get by them. Every time I glanced at my Garmin I was seeing 8...nice, but a little too fast. I just kept moving. I tried a new tank top that I thought I would love but it kept slipping up, not so great, shoot! I enjoyed the view of Mt. Rainer as I ran back to the car for the last 2 miles! 

Mothers Day Stats:

May 9, 2010

Miles: 4.01

Pace: 8:48

Time: 35:21

Calories: 501

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Speed Work with Janette

I was looking forward to this run but wasn't sure I would do as well as I did last week. Oh well all I can do is get out there and run. When I got to the gym to meet her I wasn't feeling that great. Not what you need when you are about to do a speed workout. I was feeling tired and sick to my stomach, great! We started our run and didn't have as much time as we planned so she told me that we could just run whatever route I wanted. Went on a course that I go on all the time and we enjoyed the speedy workout in the rain. I had just started reading "Run Like A Mother" last night and loved when Sarah (one of the authors) was saying how you just have to embrace the pain and work through it. Glad I read that so I could put it to GREAT USE today. Even though I was going faster than a comfortable speed for me I could still talk...sort of. That is always a good sign. We were moving and Janette continued to talk to me about food and pace and all things marathon, I can't get enough. I'm so grateful for expert advice. We were coming to the last hill and she told me we were going to finish the rest of the run and this hill at an 8:45 pace! Great......that is a total sarcastic GREAT! This is a speed workout so I have to push it even though everything in me tells me to STOP, quit, WALK but I knew I had to push through it. I pushed, I pushed and we were done with a pace of 8:41 for 4.09 miles! Whewww. I'm impressed with myself. I did tell Janette that there are going to be times that I don't like her...don't take it personally but just know that when it gets tough I am going to dislike her and what she was making me do. But I reassured her that after the run I wouldn't hold those feelings...only during the hard parts. I also told her that I am so grateful and thankful that she is doing these workouts with me. It means so much to me because I would never push myself that much so I am glad to have someone to push me to my limits so I can see what I am really capable of. Maybe someday I could BQ!

May 10, 2010 Stats:
Miles: 4:09
Pace: 8:41
Time: 35:30
Calories: 514

Splits:
Mile 1: 8:08
Mile 2: 8:48
Mile 3: 9:13 (Hill)
Mile 4: 8:41
Mile 5: 7:21

Perfect reading for the end of my MOTHER'S DAY!