800's and playdough

Today the scheduled called for 6x800 and I had to do it on the treadmill.  Actually I could have run them outside, but it would have been 32 degrees and pitch dark.  No thank you!  I pick the treadmill on the enclosed, but not heated or cooled porch in the daylight with a tv to watch.    Really there was no choice!

I procrastinated as long as I could by doing things like dishes, reading the paper, reading email, and watching Team Umizoomi.  It is compelling tv!  Finally I got my butt in gear and started running.  I decided it would be easier to keep track of the repeats if I put sticky notes on my treadmill.  I could also then crumbled one up as I finished each repeat. 

I have not done any speed work since November 22nd!  Wow!!  I missed two scheduled speed work days because I was sick so it has been a long time!  I ran the first two without any trouble.   I set my pace at 7:30, 7:24, or 7:19 depending on how I felt and how close I was to finishing the 800.  I wanted to finish faster than I started.  The third one gave me fits.  At the 400 mark I held onto the rails for a second and then I hit stop.  I looked at the ceiling and said "you just quit on your marathon."  Feeling totally disgusted with myself I started up again at the 7:19 pace and finished.  The last three went much better.  I was feeling good and hit stop only to realize that I did not finish.  I had lost track of my distance and after some quick math I realized I had a 400 to run yet.  I was so annoyed with myself that I ran a long 800.  It was more like a 900 or 1000.  Even with a few bumps I felt pretty good with the results today. 

I ran just under 4 minutes rests and did a one mile warm up and cool down.  So, 6.5 miles later I felt like I embraced the challenge and did well for today. 800's on the treadmill was not a awful as I thought it might be.  My sticky note plan worked well for the number of repeats.  Next time I just have to do a better job with my math.

I ran in my new shoes today.  They are Saucony Cortana. 

I wanted to keep them clean in case they need to go back.  I like them I think. I should say I love the colors, but the comfort remains undetermined.  There are a 4mm drop and I am used to an 8mm drop so I am nervous about the change.  They are comfortable, but I think my right shin is paying for the difference.  It is a little sore.  They are going back in the closet until next week.  I am not ready for a long run in them yet!

The good thing about having a treadmill at home is that I have greater choice when I can run.  The bad thing about having a treadmill at home is that I am immediately mom when I hit stop.  Today I had to hold off Elena and Samuel for the last half mile of my cool down.  Tangled was over and they were ready to play with play-doh. 

So, hungry, sweaty, and now cold I had to set up the play-doh.  Then I forgot I was cold so I did some laundry, more dishes, made the beds, and the list goes on.  Thankfully I remembered to stretch while working.  Nothing like a proper recovery!

Can I do it?

Today was my last time to run 800's in this marathon cycle.  Can I get a huge Woo Hoo!!!!  I have run 800's 7 times since August and I have learned lots running them.  It is probably the most challenging workout I have completed ever especially 8 and 10 repeats.  The amount of sustained focused energy is nuts.  A loss of concentration for 5 seconds slows my pace.  It is a mental as it is physical.

My first set of 800's was done on the treadmill.  I will avoid doing that again at all cost in the future.  I was so out of shape and almost died running 4 repeats at a 7:53/mile pace.   My fastest set of repeats occurred the first week of October.  I ran6 and all my times were between 3:27 and 3:33.

I ran my 10 repeats the last week of October and was honestly really disappointed with my times.  There were all between 3:41 and 3:34.  I had no reason to be upset with them, but was for some reason.

Today I ran 8 repeats with my times between 3:38 and 3:33.  I would love to have seen more improvement from the beginning of October until now.  However, I am really happy with my consistent times.  I felt really strong running them today and could have done at least two more if not more than that.  I guess that means I could have run faster.  It could also mean I am getting stronger and it is probably a little of both.

Bart Yasso, amazing runner and athlete, believes if you can run 10 repeats at your goal marathon time, you can run a marathon in that time.  So, my goal time is 3:40.  Running each 800 at 3 min 40 seconds or better has been my goal since August.  I am well within that goal.  I guess we will see what happens on race day.  I hope I follow the trend!!!

Today I am thankful for:
1.  My sister Kelsey---it is her birthday and I wish I was celebrating with her.  She is the best sister...strong, kind, daring, funny, and so serious at the same time.  I wish we lived closer.  Happy Birthday Kelsey!!!

2.  Honey Crisp Apples

3.  Naps---I took a 30 minute nap today and it was great.  I had a killer headache and needed rest.  I am so glad Elena let me sleep with her!

4.  Clean sheets on my bed tonight....the only thing that would make that better would be if someone else had washed the sheets and made the bed!

5. A freezer full of buffalo meat---I put our dinner in the crock pot this morning.  I had to use a 5 spice Chinese blend to make the Asian pulled beef.  I never looked what was in the 5 spice blend, but I knew as soon as I smelled it cooking.  I detest Anise and guess what was in the spice blend?  Yes, and to make it worse the blend also contained white pepper.  Drew hates white pepper.  So, our roast was tossed (I know but we could not eat it) and I pulled ground buffalo from the freezer at 4p to make sloppy joe.  Heavens!  Now my kitchen smells like anise.  Gross!

Today's picture of the day is of my beautiful Emma!