I DECIDED. And you better hold me to it. First, thank you all for the suggestions regarding me wanting to jump the marathon gun and run one sooner than what I had planned. The thing is…I don’t like to wait. I know I’ve shared this with you all before.
However, I think I will stick with the plan and my first full will be Seattle Rock N Roll on June 25. I gotta be smart about this and not get carried away (even though I want to run ALL those races you suggested).
BUT I did get an idea on my run with Mel yesterday (two lunch runs in ONE week!). AFTER the marathon, and IF I don’t injure myself, I will train for a sub-2 half (You Go Girl in September). I asked Mel if she’d be my coach today and she said YES. Am I weird for being excited about speed training?
We chatted about training quite a bit on our run, which was 4.25 miles for me and, I think, turned out to be 7 for her. It’s so awesome having a buddy near work! (I totally dressed for rain, though, and it was sunny! I was having wardrobe issues. I will post on those soon.) We also talked about speed training. Even a bunny hopped out of the berry bushes and sped along side us for a few paces. She knew what we were talkin’ about.
SPEAKING OF SPEED. Dorothy at Mile Posts had a great post (“Speed is a State of Mind”) HERE. Go read it, then come back. She totally hit the nail on the head. Speed is, of course, different for everyone. Paces in the 10’s once were quick for me, then it moved up to the 9’s and now it’s the 8’s.
The other thing about speed is you have to test yourself. See what you are capable of. I never used to do that. But the Jeff Galloway plan I’m using HERE has me running a mile time trial about every 4 weeks — run a mile as fast as I can without puking. Without these, I never would’ve known I could do a mile in the 8’s! Super excited that I have one these this weekend. Looking forward to it!
BY THE WAY. I still plan on doing Fundraising Fridays, but maybe not every week as I think it can get a bit overwhelming. So many good causes to give to, so little money to give. I know. But I may just sneak it in a post like this one:
Please go over to Marlene’s blog, Mission to A(nother) Marathon, and help her raise money HERE for Camp Oochigeas. Marlene’s running to raise funds for the third consecutive year in honor of her good friend’s son, Nolan. Camp Oochigeas is a privately funded, volunteer based organization that provides kids with cancer and kids affected by childhood cancer with a unique opportunity for growth through challenging, fun, enriching and magical experiences.
AND A FAVOR. Okay, this is where I ask you to donate your votes. 2Toms, the company that makes awesome products like ButtShield, is having a contest on Facebook. Go to their wall HERE, scroll down to find my post about my first full marathon and click “Like.”
You might have to go back a page or two, but just look for my little icon (see below) next to “Mom vs. Marathon”! If I win I will share the prize: a year supply of 2Toms products!
ONE MORE THING. So those of you who wanted bumper stickers…
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| Remember these? |
They are coming. The thing is…well, I didn’t think this through very well. The bumper stickers don’t fit in your standard envelope. I’ve been looking everywhere for extra-long envelopes, but am not having much luck. Anyway, as soon as I find a solution, they will be in the mail. Sorry for the delay! I mean, I know you were losing sleep over it and all. 😉
RUN FAST! Good luck with your races and runs this weekend!
13 comments
Your plan to wait for the Seattle RnR and then go for a sub-2 half sounds perfect. I have trouble waiting for exciting things, too, so I understand where you're coming from. I love speed training! I haven't done an all out mile for years, though. Maybe I should try one soon. Good luck with this weekend's mile!
LOVE the sticker! I think you are wise to stick with your plan and I like your idea to focus instead on speed after RNR. Personally, I'm a speed junkie. And just like you said, it's all relative and I agree that it's a state of mind. It's just what you're used to. After I run my Indy Half & before I start marathon training, I'm thinking of training specifically for a 5k just so I can do some really focused, short speedwork. Yeah! It'll only be for 2 months since marathon training starts in late June but it'll still be fun.And speaking of speed…I'm doing this run less, run faster program and yesterday, i became a believer. I was supposed to do a tempo run= 5mi @ 8:12 pace but ended up running 7:30 for 5 mi even though it FELT like about 8:15. I was totally BLOWN AWAY. I can't believe a) I ran 5 miles that fast and b) it didn't feel that fast. I'm a believer.
Actually I HAVE been losing sleep over waiting on my totally awesome sticker! (just kidding!) 🙂 I enjoy speedwork too… and I like mixing up my training because it makes me a better and stronger runner overall and it keeps things fun. You are going to have a blast training with Mel!
After last week's 8K race, a sub-2 Half is now on my radar. Might be too lofty at this point, but just revised training plan/paces yesterday and I'm gonna make a run for it (pun intended!)Patience is a virtue… June will be here before you know it!! How lucky are you to have Mel as a coach!??!Can't wait for the sticker… do send whatever way is cheapest for you though…TGIF!
When you find that perfect envelope, can I have a bumper sticker??? :)I think your plan to run Seattle sounds ideal. I ran it like a thousand years ago and I loved the crowd support. Mel will be an awesome coach for the half, you can't lose no matter what there!!Happy Weekend. Thanks always for your very encouraging words!!
Sounds like a good call and speed work (especially with Mel!) will be fun!!!I ran my first sub-2 a few months after my first marathon. Just saying… :)THANK YOU so much for linking me up!! Totally appreciate it. And I already liked your 2Toms entry, but I'd do it again if I could!
I remember my last long training run and I really debated if I should run 26.2 miles just so I could say I did it, but I stopped at 25.23 or something like that and I was so glad I did so that on June 27, 2010 I could run my first ever 26.2 miles…my marathon day! You will be so happy that you waited and your body will thank you too.I'm so excited for you! How many times have I said that?Some day we will have to get together for a run! This time you are going to have to slow down for me! Go Kerrie, GO KERRIE!
So excited for your marathon experience!! You are one lucky gal to have Tall Mom as a running buddy! She has been a great coach! You will love it!!
yeah some people folded theirs in half and mailed them. one person put it in one of those big 8×11 sized ones! that's intense… i'd rather you just fold them then spend the extra money on big envelopes and stamps, i'd be ok with that 🙂
I'm pumped to see your mile time this next go around!!! It is SO cool and rewarding to see your hard work pay off!!!
Hi there! thanks for following me!I like your sticker and what it says!!! perfect!!!
Congrats on the decision! And yes, speed is definitely a state of mind. Even the same pace on two different days can “feel” fast one day and not the other 😉
I SO want one of your stickers—you can even fold mine and mail it??? Should I email you my addy :DSeattle RnR!! Woo-hoo! Mel is such an awesome person AND coach–I pick her brain constantly. Wanna run the Girlfriends half in October in Vancouver??? 🙂