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I’m gearing up for marathon number 7, chasing a unicorn, a Boston Marathon Qualifying Time (BQ). This time around I’m using a different training program with a coach to really up my speed. The biggest challenge this week has been increasing my easy run pace. I really like to take it S-L-O-W on most of my runs, #turtlepace. I CAN run faster, it just feels so much better to run slower. To help myself out I’ve been entering a pace range on my Garmin watch. When I go too slow I get a buzz, when I go too fast I get a buzz.
6/26/2023
Monday was the first day pushing my easy run pace and did I ever push it! My wrist was constantly buzzing because I kept going too fast! I just had myself mentally prepared to run faster.
6/28/2023-Hill Work
This was going to be a busy day, well busy morning: run, pack up the camper, rush to a t-ball game an hour away, drop my older daughter off at softball practice between t-ball games. I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. to get all the things done and be on the road by 8:00. After pulling myself out of my deep sleep, I immediately checked the radar. “Rain starting in 45 minutes” and then it was going to rain for hours! I jumped out of bed, got dressed, inhaled a spoonful of peanut butter and was out the door in 10 minutes, racing the rain. This was NOT how I like to start a run. I was scheduled for a 4 mile run at a slower recovery pace, yea I get to go slower but the RAIN!!! I went out at the fast end of slow and approached the HILL. I only had two hill repeats and honestly on the first one I was wimpy and went slower than I should have. Don't tell my coach. I started off slowish and increased pace as I went up. I’ve run hill repeats before and they are hard! Since I only had two of these, the second one was going to be where I pushed it. I really exploded and kept pushing the pace, out of breath and panting at the top, then finished the last 2 ½ miles and beat the rain!
The rest of my day was not as successful at beating the rain, t-ball ended up getting canceled and softball practice was indoors.
6/29/2023
I scheduled a maintenance massage today. My left hamstring has been a thorn in my side ever since I tore it last summer. I really need to keep on top of it and regular massages seem to help. Naturale Alternatives is my to go place for all sports related injuries.
7/1/2023-Long Run
It was another early morning trying to beat the heat. The roads and trails were clear with the exception of a few deer and a couple of fishermen on the lake. I had a couple of bigger hills that were not fun at my new “easy” but not really easy pace. At mile 4 I reached up to put my sunglasses on and discovered that they were gone. Shoot, I lost them on the side of the road. My distraction during the last 4 miles was searching the ditches for my sunglasses. I did not find them. The hills that were not so fun at the beginning of my run were a real speed boost at the end! I love to run negative splits (run the second half faster than the first half) on my long runs and with the speed boost I was easily able to finish strong.
Next week my plan really ups the miles but thankfully I get to keep the pace I've been running this week. Tomorrow is a rest day and I plan to fully embrace my lazy day. By the way I found my sunglasses back at the camper, I never put them on my head!