Of Long Runs and Lazy Weekends...

I think the only thing that got me out of bed and to work this morning was that I can finally start my count down!  7 work days left!  Whoo hoo!  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!  I'm going to be the Little Engine that could this week!

This weekend wasn't filled with too many exciting things - I really just focused on getting my runs in and recovering well.  It was a heavy running week for me and by last night my legs were not happy.  Actually, my knees weren't happy but they aren't as bas as they have been thank goodness.

Friday I took off work to get some things done for my new business.  In between everything I did manage an 8 miler that went so-so.  My legs were heavy from the Sunset Run that I did the night before where I ran 12 COLD miles up in San Francisco.  At the charity run I got to meet up with some awesome friends and bloggy peeps for 5 easy miles together.  I did 7 tempo miles before they arrived and then did joined them for the rest - thanks Kristen and Julianne!

At the base of the Golden Gate - see how cold it was! I was wearing a jacket - AND RUNNING!

Saturday it was cool in the Bay!  Just when we're starting to enjoy the Fall like temps, this week is going to heat up  close to 100 - boo!  I took advantage of the cool temps though and enjoyed 10 miles.  I drove to a cute area in San Jose called Willow Glen to get the miles done.  I really needed a change of pace and scenery!  And...this is where I did my MCM Mamma - Mamma Goes Masters Virtual Race!  Race report to follow!  Since the race was to be 8.25 miles and I had 10 to do, I did a nice 1.75 mile warm up and then hit the gas and ran a speedy 8.25 miles in some fun scenery.  Willow Glen is very charming and always busting with people out and about.  And with a race to run this was the perfect place to get it done!

After my run I went home and relaxed!  It felt good to do nothing!  Well, nothing is relative since I did have a pile of laundry to tackle, grocery shopping to get done and general errands - but with no place to be and no one to have to be accountable to it felt good to having nothing on my plate!

Sunday I woke up a little later than I would have liked.  I need to work on getting up earlier to get these dang long runs in.  Even though it wasn't by any means warm out, when you're finishing a long run at 11 am it still feels as if you're running in the heat.  I had 18 miles on schedule and the first 5 were a slog fest.  I contemplated quitting about a zillion times.  My legs just didn't want to move.  At mile 5 I stopped, stretched, ate some peanut butter and jelly and then with the help of the hubbs, psyched myself up enough to finish.  The plan was to run 10 of the miles at marathon pace, which for me right now is 8:00 miles.  I am gunning for a low 3:30 at Long Beach but I'm not sure if that is going to happen after this run.  Yes, I already had 43 miles on my legs for the week and asking them to run fast for 18 was probably not smart.  After mile 5, here are my mile splits - not bad, but not great:

6- 7:51 (whoa, slow it down speedy!)

7- 8:01 (perfect)

8- 8:00 (exactly!)

9- 8:06 (I think I'm in over my head!)

10- 8:05

11- 8:01

12- 8:11 (yeah, I'm crazy to think I can hold this for 26.2!)

13 - 8:10

14- 8:13

15- 8:02 (gotta make this one strong!)

I was still in the range I would need to be for my goal time but those last couple of miles at goal pace were brutal.  With just three miles to go I stopped and refueled and tried to gather myself.  Every self doubt I have been having came to light for me.  Today I'm still worried that I might be out of my league.  I finished the last 3 miles with a good cool down and went home to ice bath and drown my doubts in carbs.

18 miles total

8 - 1:07:19 - 8:25/mi pace

10 - 1:21:40 - 8:07/mi pace

I know it doesn't look as bad as it could on paper.  But they were a hard 18 miles and now I am rethinking my plans for October.  Not sure what the plan is just yet, but I think letting go of some pressure will help me get to the finish line a little easier.

I finished the week with 61.5 miles - I haven't done that many miles in a long time and I think it's only the 3rd or 4th time I have ever broke the 60 mile mark.  Thankfully, this is a cut back week!  Whoo hoo!  My long run is only 14!  And I'm throwing in an extra rest day - yes!

I'm not too sure what my plan will be with Long Beach.  I even contimplated cutting down to the half.  I have a full in Tahoe at the end of September that should be fun and although it is a challenging course, the first half is relatively flat and I'm going to use it as a gage for Long Beach.  I would love to BQ again, but I'm not willing to do it if it makes me burnt out or hate my running.  I have less than 60 days left until the big race day - not that long but just long enough to figure out what I really want out of that race.

Looks like you all had a busy weekend!  I'm off to catch up with you all!

Happy Monday and Happy Running!