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Riley's Rumble Half Marathon

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2008
15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

Washington,DC,USA

Member Since:

May 01, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

One marathon: 4:08; Half marathon PR: 1:48:30; Ten-miler PR: 1:23; 8k PR: 39:00; 10k PR: 46:51

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Lose 10 lbs. to get in shape to run faster and --> Qualify for Boston!

Race calendar:

May 18: Capitol Hill Classic 10k (50:23)

June 14: Lawyers Have Heart 10k (48:20)

July 12: Caribbean Sounds 10k (50:23)

July 14: Bastille Day 4-miler (30:55)

July 27: Riley's Rumble 1/2 Marathon (1:48:30)

(Stress fracture/broken jaw break)

Nov 9: Veteran's day 10k (46:51!!!)

Nov 27: Alexandria Turkey Trot 5-miler

Dec 6: Gar Williams 1/2 marathon

Dec 14: Jingle All the way 10k

February 14, 2009: Myrtle Beach marathon? (goal: 3:40!!!)

Long-Term Running Goals:

Finish a 1/2 Ironman before I'm 40 years old

Finish 10 marathons in 4:00 hrs or less by the time I'm 40 years old.

Run the JFK 50-miler

Personal:

Just another single 30-year old Argentine girl living the American dream in Washington DC and trying to run faster. Graduated from Southern Utah University in 2003, then moved to DC. I have a full-time job as research economist for an association in the transportation industry and I'm attempting to get my Master's degree in Economics from Johns Hopkins, part-time, while keeping my sanity!

More adventures in my personal blog

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Adidas Supernova Sequence Lifetime Miles: 12.00
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0.000.000.000.004.0011.800.000.0025.10126.8081.450.00249.15
Night Sleep Time: 13.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 13.00Weight: 0.00
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Ran to work from home in the morning, around the Lincoln memorial instead of the Jefferson because thought maybe my tendons were acting out again... but they seemed to be OK in the end. Right shin hurts a little but not bad. After work walked to school and after school ran home from Dupont Circle, for a total of 10 miles. The evening run was pretty speedy, i thought. A nice day, not as hot and humid as it's been lately. I'm really looking forward to this long weekend, I'm already mapping out all the cool runs I'm going to do, mostly on trails!!!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Biked to work this morning. During my lunch break I ran 6 miles on the C&O Canal, 3 to Fletcher's Boathouse, where I had some water, and 3 miles back to the office. A gorgeous day and I felt great, I was able to go pretty fast, probably 9 min/miles.

Last night when I was going upstairs to my room I noticed my right knee doing a clicking noise, every time I went up a step. It did not hurt, but anything that has to do with my knee really scares me... I think anything else is easier to cure, but knee problems... for some reason those scare me a lot. I stretched it a little but still did the clicking sound. Went to bed and this morning it was still there. It's very loud, and only happens when I go upstairs or when I do a launge, basically when I put a lot of my weight on the knee and flex it. But, still did my 6 miles and didn't seem to hurt. I'm making an appointment with a doctor to see if he can give me some exercises or take an MRI to make sure it's nothing to worry about. I've been reading online about similar problems, and it seems that as long as it doesn't hurt, it may be nothing to worry about... let's hope so!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Ran 6 miles from the office to Fletcher's Boathouse with fastrunning buddy Aaron. It was hot but not too humid, so we managed to have a pretty good run. After that, I ran to the White House, where I met with a friend to take an easy walk, and ran back to the office. A good running day indeed! Right knee is still clicking, but doesn't hurt. Shins hurt a little.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0014.150.0014.15

BEST RUN EVER EVER EVER

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united states/dc/washington/364774250

Started from the office and went to meet my friend Greg to the other side of the Rosslyn bridge. Greg used to be a fast runner in high school but he's out of shape - he really surprised me by going a pretty good pace, but I insisted we slowed down so he could go the distance (he usually runs 2-3 miles). By mile 3.5 he had to walk a little, so we did. Jogged back to where i met up with him, and he went home, and I wasn't sure what to do... I wanted to do at least 10 miles, so I thought of doing another loop... but the Potomac Heritage trail start was right there... it was tempting, but I knew there wouldn't be any water until I got to Fletcher's boathouse, around mile 11 of the run. I had a water bottle with me but wouldn't be enough... or would it? Well, I figured I'd take the risk, and could always walk back if I had to. So, I ran the first 4 miles of the Potomac Heritage trail - really beautiful, right at the edge of the Potomac, and very strenuous/rocky at times. Also, sadly, very dirty. And the worst part is that I know most of the people that frequent that area of the trail are "my people", Hispanics who picnic over by the shore of the river and they have no respect for nature and leave all their trash around. I know I'm generalizing and a lot of us do clean up after ourselves, but it's just frustrating to know that some people are just completely careless. Anyway... Made it to the Chain Bridge, crossed over, and for a split second I was absolutely and terribly confused. Where was Georgetown and where was Arlington? Which way was the District and which way was Virginia? It was absolutely bizarre... there is a river right there, so I shouldn't have been confused. May have been a bit of dehidration... dunno, but thankfully I found my way to the C&O Canal, and a mile away stopped at Fletcher's boathouse to refill my empty bottle, splashed some water on my face and head, and came back to the office.

WHAT A GREAT RUN!!!  A total of 14 miles and change, 6 on the Mt. Vernon trail/bridges/Rock Creek Parkway/C&O canal, 4 on the Potomac Heritage Trail, and the last 4 on the C&O canal. What a great way to celebrate my first 4th of July as a citizen of this great country! Happy 4th everyone!

 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Another fantastic run - felt great this morning after that 14 miler yesterday and lots of stretching, so I metroed to Friendship Heights to meet my friend Ashley, who just won an entry for the Marine Corps; this will be her first marathon! We did 7 beautiful and a little muddy miles on the trails of Rock Creek Park, and back up on the National Zoo (that zoo hill is a killer!). Then she metroed back home and I decided I'd try to run home. So I did! Some more trails, up by my office (boy, I wish I had brought my office key so I could get water there!) and then the semi-long way home on the mall (sooooo busy!) and up Capitol Hill and down Pennsylvania. It is really humid here, we got a little rain, temperature is about 81 degrees. I have to say I'm really tired, but my legs don't hurt, thank goodness, and I'm very proud of myself! We stopped at a lot of water fountains and I had a gel just after mile 8, that seems to be where I start boinking...

Next week I have to focus on doing at least one day of speed work or hill repeats...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Biked to work, after work biked to the Smithsonian metro to meet with the Capitol Striders meetup running group - a pretty good turnout, there was about 15 people. A few fast guys went ahead of everyone, and I stayed with a girl named Danielle and two other guys. We went over the 395 bridge into Virginia, then North on the Mt. Vernon trail, back on the Memorial bridge - the two others went the short way back and Danielle and I went by the water, around the Jefferson memorial and back. I was going a bit faster than usual to keep up with Danielle, she runs faster but shorter distances. A very nice girl, we had some good conversation though it wasn't necessarily "conversational pace" for me. A good run to start the week!

Bike miles this week: 10

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Biked to the office this morning, left bike in office, and ran 7 miles to Fletcher's Boathouse and back on the Rock Creek Parkway up P St. A very nice morning. The C&O Canal in the morning is great because it's completely shady, as opposed to the afternoon... Felt really good, no shin pain at all. My left heel hurts a little.
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Ran home from school, 4.5 miles, good pace - right shin hurts a little.

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My plan for this week is to run 55-60 miles. Same goes for next week, for a total of 3 weeks followed by one week of lower mileage, 50-55 mpw and up to 60-65 the following week.  

Bike mileage this week: 10+5=15

Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50Weight: 0.00
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Today is Argentina's Independence Day!

Ran after work, pretty late at night, got cooled down 1/2 way by a nice and short thunderstorm that dropped some rain. Felt sluggish most of the time and right shin hurts a little. Went by the Anacostia trail around RFK stadium, then East Capitol, around the Capitol building, up Capitol Hill and back around south east.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Ran to the office from home, 5 miles, no backpack (I took some clothes to work yesterday). Felt sluggish at first and better after warming up. After work ran to the Georgetown Running Co. to pick up race bibs for Saturday's race, ran back to the office to leave them there, and ran home again without a pack. Left calf hurt a little and right shin, but overall a great afternoon run.

After reading Michelle's blog, I decided to copy her and blog my weight every morning, to see if that makes me more accountable to eat better. I was very mad at myself this morning after discovering that I've gained 3 pounds since last month. My weight this morning was 143 lbs.

As I ran to work this morning, I tried to think of something that would make me take my weight issue more seriously. I am so good at getting up early and running or biking, why can't I be as good with controling my eating? One of the things that came to mind is the analogy of me and the environment. I'm extremely conscious of the environment we live in and do every little thing I can think of to make sure I pollute as little as possible. The environment we live in is like a sacred place that deserves that we do everything we can to make it look beautiful and healthy for many generations to come. When I buy things, I try to buy things with as little packaging as possible to create as little garbage as possible. When I go to the supermarket, I bring my own bags so I don't waste them. I print as little as possible at work. I recycle.

My body deserves to be treated as well as the environment. As a sacred place that needs to be cared for and be kept clean and beautiful, and not to be trashed. I need to think of body fat as trash that needs to be cleaned (within healthy limits, of course). Just like I wouldn't dump polluted water into a clean river, I shouldn't intake unhealthy foods that will create pollution in my body and make it unhealthy.

A friend of mine tried to give me the analogy of a car - saying you wouldn't fuel your car with juice or water, you put gasoline only, otherwise it won't run! Well, I'm a girl and not a big fan of cars so that didn't work for me.

But the environment analogy may work. It has to work. I want to be healthier. I owe it to myself, to my knees that are supporting me through all good and bad times, and to my belly that is tired of having to hide all the time and would like to be shown off every once in a while and not be embarrassed to be seen in public. I owe it to the nice clothes I have in my closet that I cannot wear.

Alright, sorry about that ramble. If any of you readers out there have a good recipe for healthy treats, some nutty oatmeal raisin cookies perhaps, or a healthy apple crisp recipe, please send it my way.

Night Sleep Time: 6.50Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 6.50Weight: 0.00
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Morning weight: 141 lbs. It seems the posting yesterday and comments from fellow bloggers helped me relax a bit, and last night I was able to stay away from the usual binge, as I will tonight. One day at a time.

Went to bed early last night but could not get to sleep! My mind was racing with weird thoughts... My grandma, who is 92, won't be around much longer, and that's making me a bit sad, even though she's been pretty much checked out from life for the past 20 years, and I feel like I barely know her. She's the last of my grandparents. But my thoughts went from her death to something "worse"... I kept having nightmares awake about my older niece dying... That lead me to not get very much sleep, so I decided not to wake up early and run, but to bike to work instead and try to go at lunch instead. So I ran 6 miles on the C&O Canal. After work did 4 more, slow so I don't get too tired before tomorrow's 10k, around the bridges to Virginia.

After tomorrow's 10k, I'll be at 53 miles for the week, which is right around what everyone suggested I should be doing for a couple of weeks. I don't expect to do too well in tomorrow's race because I have to bike 6 miles uphill to the start line... should be fun though, and it'll give my friend Patrick some confidence to know that he can beat me :)

Bike miles for the week: 20

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Ran the Caribbean Sounds 10k with my friend Trick.

Basically, we went down, down, down a loooong hill, and then back up, up, up, up the hill, and repeated. Lost the course once, the front runners were not happy about this; there were no markers or anyone showing us the way. Very sad.

I finished in 52:33, 8th woman, and 3rd in my age group (it was a very small race). A bit disappointing, but considering I barely slept last night (firetrucks, police cars, and ambulances were going crazy in my neighborhood), that the course was really tough, and that I biked 6 miles to the start line, it wasn't so bad. I beat my friend Patrick again after all!

After the race I biked home the longer and scenic route for a total of 16 bike miles for the day and 26 for the week.

Nap time!

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I get by with a little help from my friends!

As I laid on my couch very lazily, thinking it wouldn't be a big deal to skip running for a day, I received an e-mail from my ultrarunner friend and great running resource Bryon, asking if I wanted to go for a run - how could I say no to him? So, he came to my house and we went to the National Arboretum in the middle of a very hot day, and ran some slowish 12 miles together. If you're in the DC area, the Arboretum is a sight not to be missed! It's not close to the metro or on the mall, but it's worth the trip. You can see all the state trees, lots of plants, flowers, and gardens, and feel like you're in Ancient Rome in front of the old Capitol columns that were brought there in the 1990s. A great run to start a great week!

On some sadder news, my grandma passed away this afternoon. She was 92, and was pretty much checked out from life for the past 20 years, dealing with some serious depression. She was the last of my grandparents left. She is now in a better place, and I'm sure she's looking at us from above and protecting us.

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Ohhhh what a perfect day...
Morning weight: 140 lbs. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to NOT seeing that 4 in there...

Biked to work, 5 miles.

After work, meet my friend Trick and we ran 1 mile to the Key Bridge to meet up with my friend Dan. The three of us ran another 2 miles to Fletcher's Boathouse and signed up for the Bastille Day 4-miler, a very small local race. I'm not sure how many people there were, maybe 200? The course was relatively flat, on the Capitol Crescent bike trail. It was a tough race, I pushed myself really good, and finished in 30:55 - I cannot tell you how much I sprinted when I saw the clock to make sure I finished in under 31 minutes! Finally, Trick beat me, only by 30 seconds or so. He finished in 77th place and I finished 81st. Dan is very much out of shape and finished in 41 minutes and change. Afterwards, Trick and I ran back to my office for a nice and easy extra 3 miles, for a total of 10 for the day. My left tendon/ankle area felt a bit tender the last 1/4 of a mile as I sprinted... hopefully it's nothing...

Metroed home afterwards.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Not feeling 100% today, so decided to take the day off. Biked home from school.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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An unplanned day off. Went to the doctor to rule out appendicitis... got a sonogram that showed nothing in the reproductive area (I've had cysts before), and then waited hours and hours and hours for a cat scan. I'd never had one of those - not that much fun. They make you drink this yucky milky stuff, like a gallon of it, and then they put an IV that makes you feel pretty weird for a few minutes... Apparently nothing jumped at them as dangerous; my doctor will probably check it out tomorrow and let me know what he thinks - now I'm feeling feverish but don't have a fever. It's not fun feeling sick...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Biked to the office and ran from there, on the C&O Canal, to Fletcher's Boathouse. Felt really really reaaaaaaaaaaally sluggish. Finished in about 1 hour. The inflammation on the right side of my abdomen is still there, but it doesn't hurt more or less when I run; hopefully my doctor will call me today with some news.
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Update: doctor called and said everything looked normal but I have some "free flowing fluid" in the abdomen - he said it should go away by itself, but if it gets worse, to call... Phewwwwwwwwww!!! (thanks everyone for your concern!)

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Ran to work in the morning; already super hot and humid at 7 am... Felt OK, sluggish and with some soreness on my left ankle, but got better as I warmed up.

I got my new Timex watch/heart rate monitor/GPS on the mail yesterday so I wore it, but don't know quite how to use the GPS yet (that, or I couldn't get a signal on the mall...) The heart rate monitor showed 140 when I was going slower and got up to 165 when I was going faster, but I never got too fast. My resting rate yesterday was around 60, but I forgot to check my rate this morning, as well as my weight...
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Went another 6 miles on my lunch break down the C&O Canal to Fletcher's and back. Feeling very good the first 3, then the heat got to me... 93 degrees and 43% humidity... feels pretty hot to me! Had to walk a bit before the last mile because of cramps on right side - I don't think it has to do with the free-flowing fluid issue... hopefully.

Happy Friday!

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Twelve horrible miles this morning. Why, you may ask? One, I didn't sleep enough last night. Two, I didn't eat well enough last night. Three, it was ridiculously hot and humid cause I didn't get up early enough. Four, I kept having a cramp on the right side of my stomach, not sure if it's just a cramp or related to my not-appendicitis issue.

I ran 5 miles to Georgetown to pick up my friend Paul, who just started running again after a break due to an infection, so he was going to run slow as well. We did 4 miles on trails in Rock Creek Park, around the zoo, and up the Melvin Hazen Trail to Connecticut Ave. We walked a lot of it... neither of us was feeling well. Then we metroed back, him to Dupont Circle and I got off at Chinatown and tried to run another 3 miles back home from there... had to walk some of that too. Not a good day. Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow, tomorrow, you're only a day Aaaaaa-WAAAAY!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Morning weight: 140.5 lbs.

Approximatelly 17-18 miles today (but walked some of it). Got up at 7 to beat the heat, but it seems a bit better than yesterday anyway. Tried on my new Nathan hydration pack and it is AWESOME, I don't even feel it!

Ran down Pennsylvania to the mall, around Jefferson, up the 395 bridge, up the Mt. Vernon trail to Roosevelt Island, refueled my water there and had a gu (took 1 hour to get to Roosevelt Island, around 6.5 miles) then got on the very difficult, rocky, technical Potomac Heritage trail for 4 miles to the Chain Bridge, had another gu 40 mins. after the first one, crossing into DC and down the C&O Canal. On the trail I passed two very fit runner guys, probably around 35 years old, and they didn't catch up with me until Fletcher's Boathouse - that was a nice confidence boost. By the time I got to Fletcher's I was not feeling much energy, very sluggish. I started walking a lot. I know it was mental, didn't feel pain and though it is about 90 degrees, I was drinking water and having gels... I started having very negative thoughts, that I can't do it, that I'm too fat and won't be able to get any faster, I can't do anything right, etc. Then they got a little more positive, like "I should join a training group for long runs so I can keep my pace, it's the only way I'll be able to do it" (which is weird cause in my 1st marathon I trained on my own and did well - but I wasn't training for any particular time...) I walked a bit when I got to Georgetown, and ran/walked the rest of the way to the Smithsonian metro and metroed home. My weight when I got home was 139. I'm trying to think if I drank too much during the run, if maybe I should've had more gels, or why I keep boinking very often at 12-14 miles, or about 2 hours into the run. I need to focus more on my nutrition before my long runs and throughout the week, and not worry so much about gels/water during the long runs.

Overall, a better run than yesterday, but have lots to improve on.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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No running today, not feeling too well and no time. Very stressed about school. Not a good day. Still, I biked to work and then to the bike shop for my bike maintenance class, for a total of 17 miles for the day.

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Biked to work this morning, after a very bad night. Went to bed late, had too many cookies before going to bed, and couldn't sleep. I'm not sure how I managed to get up this morning, bike to work, and run 6 miles to Fletcher's Boathouse on the C&O Canal. Started sluggish but picked up the pace in the last 4 miles.

Negative thoughts all around though. Thinking of dropping out of school. Or maybe taking a break. I already dropped one class last semester and lost $2500. I'm about to do the same with the class I'm currently taking, for a total loss of 5k, and the "k" unfortunately doesn't stand for kilometers. Very stressed, unable to concentrate, not sure what to do, very confused. My abdomen still hurts on the right side, getting just a little worse every day; that doesn't help me feel any better.

Wow, is this a Debbie Downer entry or what? Sorry everyone - tomorrow will be better, I promise!

-------------- Ran home after work

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0.000.000.000.000.005.000.000.000.002.000.000.007.00

Ran the Steve Thompson 8k, organized by the DC Road Runners Club. Finished in 38:26, that's 6 seconds off my PR. Beat Trick again, and my co-worker Irving came as well and had a good race. Two mile warm-up before the race. I had my heart rate monitor with me; my heart rate while resting was around 55, then got to 140 during the warm-up, between 160 and 180 the first 3 miles of the race, and 190-199 the last two miles when I sped up... anyone knows what that means? I need to read more about it...

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.009.000.000.009.00

Ran 3 miles from work to Columbia Heights to meet up with a group of friends, ran 4 miles with them, then metroed to the hill, then run to pick up some organic food for my roommate, for a total of 9 miles for the day. Felt pretty good. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.003.002.000.005.00

Six miles after work with my friend Chris on the C&O canal to Fletcher's - unfortunately he had some issues and we had to stop and walk some. But he was making me go faster than usual for a while, so that was good. Biked home from work afterwards.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.009.000.000.009.00

Nine pretty fast miles with my friend Brian early this morning, on the Mall, across to Virginia and back on the Mt. Vernon trail. I didn't want to push the pace or the distance too much because I'm running a 1/2 marathon tomorrow and want to do well there, but I felt pretty good throughout the run.

My total miles for this week is just a bit short of 60, which is perfect. (note that I deleted the 3 miles I had logged on Tuesday which were really a 15 mile bike ride... Don't need them!)

My goal for tomorrow is to finish in 1:50, which is about the same I did in my half marathon back in December. That one had rolling hills and curves too; the one tomorrow should be harder and hillier, but I think I'm in much better shape than in December. Having said that, I'm not going to push myself too-too hard tomorrow... don't want to get injured and will listen to my body. Plan is to bring two energy gels and take one 45 minutes after starting and another one 30 minutes after that to fuel me up for the last 30 minutes. I'll also drink some gatorade if they have some at aid stations.

Most of all, I'm looking forward to meeting fellow fastrunningblogger Jill tomorrow as well!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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Race: Riley's Rumble Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) 01:48:15, Place overall: 17, Place in age division: 3
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.0013.100.000.000.0013.10

This was a great race - it was humid in the morning, but not too hot and cloudy, otherwise the sun would've killed me... It was pretty hilly but nothing too bad. Beautiful countryside, in the farmland of Maryland, starting at the C&O canal by Poolesville. I felt pretty good at the start, but apparentlly I started off too quickly because a lot of people kept passing me... I rarely passed anybody the entire race. Drove out there with my ultrarunner friend Bryon and his girlfriend Lindsay, we had a nice conversation on the way there. The miles weren't marked, as this is a very small race, but there were plenty of water/gatorade stops throughout with such nice volunteers! I was feeling pretty good, and at around 45 minutes Bryon came the other way looking strong and he gave me a hi-5. I hit the turnaround point at 53:50, still feeling good. Then ten minutes later I felt I was bonking... I had taken some gatorade but had decided up until then not to do gels, to do gatorade instead, but I'm not sure that was a good idea. My friend John saw me at around mile 9 and yelled out my name, that was nice and made me smile!

Then a few minutes later this beautiful girl looks at me and smiles, and I knew it was Jill! She looked great, but just coming out of a big hill, so she looked like she needed a hug - forgetting that I was completely drenched, I hugged her and kept going. She probably thinks I'm a nutcase, hahaha! Jill, if you're reading this, I must say your pictures don't do you justice! you looked amazing out there! And sorry I didn't see you cross the finish like, I was carpooling and couldn't miss my ride back home...

At the next aid station, around 1:10 I had one of my gus and some water. I still can't seem to get the fluids/gels thing right... I didn't want to drink too much, but yet my mouth was always dry. I had part of my second gel at 1:30 to see if it helped me feel a bit better. Had some cramps the last 2 miles or so, but nothing too bad. Lindsay and Bryon were cheering for me by the finish line, and I was done!

I have to say I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't finish any faster than my previous PR (1:48:40), especially considering I hadn't really trained much before that one, but the hills were much larger this time, and the lonely countryside was a bit challenging mentally at times. But considering I didn't really taper or made this race a priority, and the fact that I haven't been sleeping well this past week, it was a good run. It's nice to know where I stand on my training. And I still have time to get faster, and I will!

----- Results are up: I was 17th girl out of 201, and 3rd out of 33 in my division!!! Not too shabby for me!

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Comments(18)
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Took the day off - biked to work from home, then to the metro from bike maintenance class, then home from L'Enfant Plaza metro, for a total of 8 biking miles for the day.

This week's plans are for a 55-60-mile week, and as suggested by many of you, a tempo/interval run during the week. My long run for this weekend should be 16-17 miles.

When I ran the Marine Corps marathon in 2006, I had a friend waiting for me at mile 13 with a banana. That worked out really well, I was hungry at about that time and it was just what I wanted. So I'm thinking about doing the same this year. One gel or jelly beans around mile 8, a banana around mile 13, then maybe two more gels or jelly beans spaced out, and gatorade and water throughout. I'll see if I can test some of it out during my long run this weekend. Anyone else out there eats solid food like a banana during marathons?

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(4)
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.004.000.004.00

Four sluggish miles by the Anacostia river trail around RFK stadium. Not feeling too well, having stomach issues, so went home and took it easy.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.006.005.300.0011.30

Ran to the office from work, feeling better. Did a couple of 200 meter interval at faster pace.
----
Ran home from the office the long way, again doing some random 100 and 200 meter intervals. I think I like interval training! I need to figure out a more structured way to do it.

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Comments(2)
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.006.000.000.006.00

Ran to work from home with my bigger backpack. Shins hurt a bit. 88 degrees and very, very humid!

I lost track of weekly mileage and realized this was supposed to be a taper week... so I'm going to take it easy today and tomorrow, and have maybe a 45-50-mile week.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments(4)
400 m race pace800 m race pace1500 m race pace3 K race pace5 K race pace10 K race paceLactic ThresholdAerobic ThresholdMarathon PaceBase IIBase IRegenerationTotal Miles
0.000.000.000.004.0011.800.000.0025.10126.8081.450.00249.15
Night Sleep Time: 13.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 13.00Weight: 0.00
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