Live To Run

nice chill 8 today

6 mile tempo today.  The goal was to do it at GMP (Goal Marathon Pace) - 6:20/mile. I figured I would go at what I thought was 6:20 pace the first mile and then go from there. Well, the first mile ended up being 5:52 and then I decided I would just hold a little faster than GMP for a beneficial workout. The splits - 5:52, 5:45, 5:55, 5:54, 5:30, 5:37 (34:37 5:46/mile). Good workout. Going to be doing longer tempos till marathon day. Thinking about adding about 2 miles to the tempo each time I do it. Leave me some feedback about that idea. 2 mile warm-up and 2 mile cool-down.

Another nice easy day..finished the last half mile faster than I should have because I wanted to be done ha. Time to kick back and just chill!

Really busy today. Got to prep for a 20 min lecture and midterm tomorrow! Yikes! Meant to take it easy today, but somehow averaged 6:20. Try to get in a late night run, but we will see.

Replacing my Sunday day off with today. Running 20 tomorrow. Do about 4 on Sunday, get me a good 55 for the week. My week starts on Monday. Feeling some tendon pain possibly.

First 20 mile run! Well, what can I say...it was long ha! I had to do it by myself, but it had to be done. First 10 was up Provo River Canyon in 1:06:13. Second 10 back down the Canyon in 1:04:04. Total time: 2:10:17 (6:30/mile).. Its marathon time!

Hurting on my right leg. Feels like the tendon. Going to "baby" it next few days. Can't afford anything right now.

Leg was killing me. Took day off and iced it.

AM: Leg was feeling much better. We had our 1 mile cross country race in jogging class. Course was the same as the BYU High School Invitational one- grass loops. Decided to run it at around tempo pace because it was just for fun. Won it it 5:15. Results on runnercard. 1 mile warm-up, 1 mile cool-down.

PM: 4 miles easy. Spoke too soon. Feeling some pain again. Decided to just stop it at 7 for the day even though I wanted to do more. Better safe then sorry in this case. Hopefully I recover fast and that this isn't too serious! 

Felt a bit better today. Did slow 8 around 6:45 pace. Been looking up injuries and mine really fits what is called a Baker's cyst. I do have some swelling behind the knee and that may be where my pain is centralized so I am going in tomorrow to see what is up. Good thing I have been getting a little better each day. We will see..

I am back! After x-rays and check-ups, I was told I only have a muscle strain. Thank goodness! Time to easy back into things and get ready for the marathon. Easy hour today.

Been slacking on updating my runs because of finals. I will try to be more efficient now. Marathon next week. should be fun

6 easy... did one mile at sub 6 for some turnover

First marathon ever. Very pleased with my time. Blog about the race later.

Here is that blog I promised:

Miles 1-7: I was told to start off slow and I definitely agreed with that advice. Having the chance to only do one 20 miler and then just easier runs because I was finishing up school reinforced my decision to start off slow. My buddy was pacing the 1:30 half group so I decided to stay with him until the half/full turn-off. It was a nice 6:50 pace and was having a good time just relaxing and talking to the people around me.

Miles 8-14: After the turn-off, I started to pick-up the pace. I guess the excitement was stored in me because I really started to pick it up. Most miles were low 6; however, I think one or two of them were sub 6. Came through the half in about 1:24 and had my summer Coach provide some GU for me there.

Miles 15-20: Started to feel fatigue right about now. Pace gradually slowed to around 6:30s, but was still running strong and got through mile 20 in 2:10, just what I wanted.

Miles 21-25: Struggle...big time! Suffered through some 7 to 7:30 miles until the last mile. I had good support of others to finish and that helped reduce the temptation to just walk.

Mile 26.2: I just remember seeing the finish line and wanting to be done. It seemed like it would never come. I pushed super hard and got there in 2:57:13. Really happy with the sub 3 first marathon. Going to take rest of the week off until some minor knee pain reduces. Want all to heal properly. Looking forward to the next marathon. 

Recovery Day

Recovery Day