Yay for PRs (and taper time)!

Last Friday was my last long(ish) run before I taper for the marathon in 2 weeks. I had a plan...to have a fantastic run and just let the time fly by. As some of you know, this plan doesn't always work out. You take off and don't feel right, legs feel heavy, and the run takes forever.

I took off on a gorgeous day and felt great. It was a titch windy for my taste (I can be a pansy, I know), but for some reason I was just loving my run. I loved it so much, in fact, that when I hit the required 12 miles, I decided I'd tag a few more on. My pace was right where it needed to be and the time literally flew by. This is exactly how you want your final long run to go.

I ran a local 5K race on Saturday morning. My goal this year is to break 24:00 in the 5K. This requires me to cut 25 seconds off my current PR. Typically, I like to have an easy rest day before a race, but with training, that doesn't always work out. So, I went into the race with an open mind and just hoping to feel good and have fun.

An elite friend of mine (who was 1st female) reminded me of what a hilly course this was and how she thinks it's a tough course to PR on. Oops...maybe I won't PR today?

I took off and felt great! My first mile was 7:50 and I felt strong, so I tried to keep that up. Mile 2 was a bit slower, 7:56. I think the hills were in mile 2? I don't remember... I was feeling strong into the final mile, so I really tried to push. Mile 3 was 7:47. Final time: 24:10.

Woohoo! What a great feeling! The last few times I've PR'd were when I went into the race with low to no expectations. Maybe there's something to this? This was my 2nd 5K of the year and I felt SO much better after this one than I did after the one in February (which was slow and not a PR).

So, now I just have to cut a pesky 10 seconds from my time to meet my goal. Is it possible for me to run in the 23:00s??? I sure hope so and I'm going to push myself to do it!

Back to taper time...while I enjoy the decrease in mileage, I don't enjoy that I'd like to eat anything and everything at ALL times. Oh wait, I do that the entire time I'm training anyway. However, with less mileage, maybe I don't want to eat 6,000 calories a day? Ugh, I'm a born eater, I can't help it!

I hope I feel as good as I've felt the last few weeks on marathon day. No matter what, it will be another fun experience!

T Minus 3 weeks...

The LaCrosse Marathon is creeping ever so much closer...less than 3 weeks away!

I ran my 3rd and final 20 miler this past Saturday. After a brief experience with allergies on Friday, I was thrilled to feel 100% ready to run Saturday morning. The goal was to feel strong throughout and make sure my GU/water stops were very brief. Mission accomplished!

I met our local running club and ran the first few by myself. Then, I ran a stretch of 6 miles with a girl I had just met that morning. Again, a very cool by-product of running...making a new buddy in minutes! So, I ended up running about 13 of it by myself.

I felt pretty good throughout, with no major issues or moments of frustration. My last 2 miles were the only 2 over 9:00, so I was pleased with that. I ran this 3rd 20 miler in 2:56, which is pretty much what I ran the other two in. So, at least I'm consistent, right?

I just need to carry that through for the final 6.2 miles! That's where I typically get into trouble...so I really really really really really really hope I can push past that this time, and break 4:00!

I remember the first 20 milers I did and they took well over 3 hours...with a LOT of walking. Now, while I may stop for a quick water break, for the most part, I can run the whole distance. We can do anything we set our minds to!

On another note, I registered for the Marine Corps Marathon last Wednesday! Honestly, when I first started to think about running a marathon, THIS is the one I wanted to do. Four years later, here I go!

My dad was a Marine and served proudly in Vietnam. He and my stepmom will be coming out to the race and he is VERY excited. My brother is also running the race, so that will be cool. I also know a few others running. The race is on 10/31/10, but already it's all I can think about...I need to pace myself. :-)

I have a 5K this Saturday and am looking forward to it. Of course I'd like to PR, but I'll be happy having a good race and supporting a good cause, victims of domestic violence.