This weekend I am running the Santa Cruz Half Marathon with my cousin Sarah. It's her first half marathon and I am so honored to be pacing her. She has worked so incredibly hard for the last six months that I know that the race will just be a victory lap for her. She has the distance down, she even has a good pace, she just needs to put her head down and run and enjoy the experience. But what would a first race be with out a major hiccup? They are predicting rain and wind on Saturday, ugh! Nothing like baptism by fire! At least she will get all the crappy weather conditions out of her way so that when she tackles the SF half in July it will feel more like a walk in the park.
In running news I have had a pretty decent week of running. I know I said I don't do a two week taper, and I don't, but I have definitely scaled back on the large mileage but at the same time working on my speed. All week I have been trying to keep my pace in the sub 8:00/mi range and it's getting easier and easier. I think it's the shoes :) So cushy and comfy and no knee pain! Hallelujah!
Wednesday I went home for a six mile run at lunch. Why didn't I discover this earlier in the year? It's so nice to break up the day with a run, I just need to get better about bringing enough food because I am starved the rest of the day!
6 miles 45:11 7:31/mi pace I was worried about time so I guess my brain sent a message to my legs to run faster :) I felt really energized after this and ready to hit the office again. I did crash though at 9 pm that night at my desk. 14 hour days after running a hard 6 miles catches up to you!
Yesterday I decided to stay at work later and go home to get my run done. So after another 12 hour day I went home to run. I did not want to run, and if it wasn't for Ari I probably would have plopped down on the couch with Lilly instead. But as the saying goes, I did not regret going out there. The temps have been so nice around here lately that I just had to enjoy myself!
5 miles 37:14 7:27/mi pace My legs were turning over quickly again and at one point, my mile three was a 6:52 mile. I think more than anything I just wanted the run done. By the time I got home it was well after 7 and my body was drained. I'm feeling this long work week and fast runs today. I want to get in a medium long run tonight so I am going to leave work early, or my "normal" time to get this in. I have to work tomorrow and again on Sunday after the race. So I'm going to let the guilt of going home early today slide.
What's a post with out a picture? I thought I would share a picture of my favorite co-pilot when I drive. This picture is from last Friday when I picked Lilly up from doggy daycare at my parents. She LOVES to ride in the car and when she gets in it's all business. Dog is my co-pilot.
Looking straight ahead at the stop light. It's all busines in the car!
It's Friday peeps! Good luck to all you racing this weekend and to those with their last long runs on the books! And good luck to all of you in the middle of taper! Enjoy the fewer miles, I know your legs will thank you :)
Happy Friday and Happy Running!
12 comments:
I did 6 races in 4 weeks last year, but none of them was longer than 10K - you are hardcore my friend!
Have an awesome time pacing Sarah! Hope the weather changes!
Have a great run!! That is awesome that you are going to be her pacer. Have a great weekend :)
have FUN this weekend!!!! yes the crazy is definitely beginning! great job on the week and so glad the shoes are workout out for you :) i <3 my asics!
What it's THIS weekend?! ;) Just kidding, I'm ready. BRING IT!! A little rain and wind isn't going to stop me, especially when I have you as my pacer!! So glad you are going to be there with me.
THat's some speedy running!
Your dog is hilarious!
you are wearing CRAZY PAJAMAS to do that many races - including boston!!!! Crazy I tell you!
I love the picture, especially the ears. How fast were you going, young lady? :)
Great running and pacing! My goodness! I love your pic! It looks like it could be on a greeting card. Have a fabulous weekend!
You do LOVE racing! Good luck and have a ton of fun. Last summer I had a ton of weeks - 7 I think where I did one race a week and I loved it. I didn't do super long ones though or more than one a week.
Love the pic of you copilot.
I am so jealous of your racing! You are going to be a great pacer. Enjoy your run!
Lunch break runs sound great. But really it's just work in general that gets in the way of my running, if it weren't for that whole darn paycheck issue I don't think I'd go at all! ;-)
Have a great weekend...praying for no rain for you.
You are getting speedier and I'm getting fatter and slower. Something's wrong here. Hahah. Nice running, girlie, I am so very proud of you. You just keep getting so much faster and you're going to run right through all the 2nd wavers and right into all the 1st wavers .. where you should be anyway and where you'll be next year for sure! Have a great time pacing your cousin and have a blasty weekend!! Hugs to you, girl! I know you're so swamped..just think this time next week, you'll be packing your suitcase and making sure you got my birthday present in there. Bahahahaha.
Love to you1!!
Take lots of photos at all the races!! Sounds like a busy and fun time!
Love the dog!
Just four your blog! I feel the same way you do with races. It's like vindication for all the hard work training. Have fun!
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