Longest Solo

OBJECTIVE
20 mi. w/pickup last 5 mi.

ACHIEVED
20.02 mi.@ 8:20/mi.
First 15 mi.@8:35/mi.
Last 5
7:32/7:40/7:38/7:31/7:22

6:19 AM 49° 55% 14 mph

Conroe hills along League Line Road and Teaswood

(more details here later)

PRE RUN
weight = 161#
oatmeal w/brown sugar & skim milk & FRS concentrate

POST RUN
2 SlimFast
Later, water, multivitamin & oatmeal w/flax brown sugar, almonds & skim milk

Houston Half Pictures

Pictures from the Houston half marathon are here

Based on the pictures, it's surprising I ever made it to the finish line since it seems my eyes are always closed ....

OBJECTIVE
4 mi. Slow

ACHIEVED
4.01 mi.@ 8:46/mi.

5:21 AM 57F 88% 7 mph

It was a nice morning. I'm tired because I'm not getting enough sleep.

PRE RUN
weight 162
nothing

POST RUN
water, multivitamin & oatmeal w/flax, brown sugar & skim milk

Granted

My body asked for a rest today and I granted it. It's not so much the running. I'm feeling better physically. But the 14 hour work days seem to be catching up with me ....

Slowly But Surely

OJECTIVE
5 mi. Slow

ACHIEVED
5.10 mi.@ 8:49/mi.

6:02 AM 27F 100% 0 mph

I'm feeling a bit better today but still have some lingering soreness. After the race I went straight to work and sat all day. I'm sure that's retarded my recovery. I didn't stretch well. I didn't refuel well. I didn't get an ice bath. I didn't keep moving. Note to self: each of these is very important for my proper recovery.

I'm just making up this week's schedule as I go. On Monday, I thought I might be ready for a midweek Big Workout but it was very clear early on that it wasn't going to happen. I think I'll try to get 6 miles tomorrow then base Friday's run on what I plan on doing Saturday.

PRE RUN
weight = 162#
water

POST RUN
HoneyNut Cheerios w/skim milk

Still Feelin' It

OJECTIVE
4 mi. Slow

ACHIEVED
4.06 mi.@ 9:03/mi.

6:01 AM 41F 66% 4 mph

I'm still quite sore from running the half.

PRE RUN
weight = 161#
ginger snaps

POST RUN
water, multivitamin & oatmeal w/flax, almonds, brown sugar & skim milk

2009 Houston Half Finish

I make an appearance at the end of this clip. Funny that I felt a bit stronger than I look in the video!

Inspirational

Coming into downtown during the half marathon I saw this guy.

Check out his story here

I'm always inspired when I see other people out on the course ... dealing with things. Of course I had no idea what his story was when I came up from behind. I just saw two guys kind of running close together. Then I could make out the words on the guide's back. Then finally, I could read Captain Castro's shirt. As I passed, I said something like "Great run, Cap!" He said, "Thanks, it's a good day."

That's my brush with greatness.

Busted Up

OBJECTIVE
3 mi. Slow

ACHIEVED
3.05 mi.@ 9:19/mi.

5:20 AM 45° 53% 8 mph

I'm feeling pretty beat from yesterday's effort. My legs are sore all over and my lower abs (solus ??? muscles) feel very strained.

Today's run didn't feel great but I took it slow and figured it was better to get moving.

PRE RUN
weight = 160#
water

POST RUN
SlimFast, mulitvitamin & oatmeal w/flax, brown sugar, & skim milk

Houston Half Marathon - Preliminary Report

Unofficial Distance & Time
13.16 mi. - 1:33:38 (7:07/mi.)

7:00 AM 59° 78% 8 mph

7:18/7:10/7:05/7:06/7:17/7:10/7:11/7:07/7:08/7:16/7:04/6:54/6:47/1:06(.17mi=6:37/mi)

I'm happy with today's results. I didn't run as smart as I would have liked - my pace was faster than I wanted early in the race and it cost me a bit at the end. I passed a bunch of other runners with 2 miles to go. I held off one threat to pass me but was unable to hold off another runner. I stayed with him for about 1/2 mile over the last 1.5 miles but with about 1/4 mile to go he picked up more. I tried to stay with him but didn't have it. I suppose I can say I used it all up on the course but I tend to think the overly aggressive start cost me a bit at the end.

I saw Stacey, Josh and Miranda on the course. I saw Steph briefly before the race and she was at the finish line. Afterwards, I met up with Miranda and Josh. We cleaned up, ate and walked back on the course. We saw Jonathan (haven't checked his finish time but he had to be around 3:00), Stacy, Stuart, Laurie, and Randy.

In

Steph found a bib for me to run the Houston Half. (Thanks, Steph!)

I'm driving to the event now, still trying to sort out goals and logistics. I figure I'll break it into 3 segments: 5 mile, 5 mile & 5K. Maybe try to run 7:15 miles. That may be a bit agressive but that's what I'm considering.

My bib is A21360 and my "name" is Evelyn. I think there's a tracker on the marathon website but I'm not wearing the timing chip so it probably won't find me.

I'll check in later.