this week is a cutback week so today's long run was only 6 miles. to make it a little more interesting, i thought i'd add a couple of hills. nothing too crazy since i haven't run hills in a long while. but since the marathon is in sf, i figured i should start getting used to it. they have a nifty little tool on their website that predicts your splits based on your pace and the course topography (is that the right word?) all i remember is that one of the miles is so hilly it will take me about 15 minutes to run! RIDICULOUS!
so i set off this morning, channelling all the power in my hot pink tank. somewhere on my run, instead of pressing pause on my watch when i tied my shoes or stretched, i pressed the splits button, so no accurate splits.
1: 12:08 (including 5 minute warmup)
2:11:09
and then it goes to crap.
total time: 1:09:25
ave pace: 11:34
11:34 is NOT my long run pace. i know i should reel it in, but 6 miles no longer feels LONG to me. i'm wondering whether my pace will naturally slow down once i hit the higher mileage or whether i should really start to consciously slow my ass down. i will say this though, when i run at this pace, my outer calves never hurt. but when i run slower, they do. hmmm.
oooh, i also ran sans knee support! and they felt totally fine! didn't stop me from icing when i got home though. but still...the less i have to wear while running, the better. which reminds me, you know the sunglasses that made me feel like terminator last week? well this week, i nearly went blind from my own sweat. there was no evaporation whatsoever around my eyes. i really hate wearing a hat or visor because my head and hair get soaked through and the hat just gets heavy. any other suggestions? besides having a pacer follow me with a parasol.
*i did not come up with this clever bit. i stole it from a race poster i saw at my local running store yesterday.
8 comments:
You should've just taken credit for the catchy title. I wouldn't have known!
I think your pace sounds fine for the 6 miler, you can make a point to slow it down as you add distance.
I ran the Nike Women's Marathon in 2005 and that hill is a killer. But there's a giant down hill after! And it's a gorgeous course, so you'll be having fun.
I am a visor girl. A hat is too hot, but the visor is perfect. Keeps the sun and sweat out just perfect.
Keep up the good work!! :)
hills = interesting? maybe in your world! I did my "by the numbers" analysis of marathon training because I felt I was pushing too hard for training runs, slowing down that 20-30 seconds per mile has made the last week far more enjoyable. I'd say just run whatever pace is comfortable irrelevant of distance.
I wear a really thin Nike hat, it is great and I need to get a replacement because, well, I wear it running 4-5 days a week, so it is kinda gross.
I always wear a BondiBand. The performance ones with the wicking fabric because the other ones just get drenched or slide off your head.
Hi! I'm a friend of Jen's and she shared your blog with me...I love it, you are hilarious!
Keep up the great work, too! I ran the Nike with Jen in 2005 and yes, the hill is a killer and yes, you will 'get over it' and yes, you will enjoy the absolutely amazing view and downhill that awaits you on the other side.
Oh, and I'm partial to the Nike mesh hat...very light.
oh my god, i need help with sweat in the eyes too!! help! i wear a bandana and the other day, eyes were stinging bad. I am thinking of getting sweatbands...
Okay, there ARE hats out there that are super-light. I wear one by Nike that I can't even feel on my head (well, mostly). Or you can get a hat with lots of mesh, to cool off the head.
By the way, I'll be in Northern California later this summer for a few days. We should meet for a run!
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