Final Dress Rehearsal
Hi Everybody. Sorry I've been incommunicado. Blame it on marathon training. Or house selling. Or both, because lately it seems like when I'm not running, I'm cleaning the house to get it ready for a showing.But let's talk about running, shall we. I just finished the third 20-mile run of my training. I ran alone, parking my car and running ten miles out and back, then swapping fuel belts and running another ten out and back. When I ran the other two 20 mile runs, I just wanted to get the miles in. Today, I ran like I was in a race. Complete with sunglasses, clothes, socks and of course, shoes that I plan to wear for the marathon. I bought a cute long-sleeve shirt a few weeks ago to wear for the race, but I think it will be too warm. I'll have to switch to the short sleeved shirt I wore for the Disney half, unless of course the temperature in San Francisco is in the 70s or more, in which case I'll wear a singlet.
I ran strong but too fast for the first few miles. I set my walking breaks to every 10 minutes (10:1) and was shooting for 12-12:30 minute miles, including the walks. I also tried to concentrate on walking faster during the breaks. Around mile 8 I started feeling fatigued and worried about that. Then I kicked it in gear and got that runner's high. :-)
Since this was a dress rehearsal I didn't listen to my iPod; instead I just tried to focus on my running and keeping my brain thinking right. A positive outlook results in a positive outcome. When I'd start to tire, I'd start reciting a cadence. "I can do it, I can do it" one word per step. I was surprised by how well that worked. My pace picked up significantly when I did that.
I tried not to stop, and when I did I continued to let my watch run--just like the clock will in the marathon. I timed one of my bathroom breaks--1:20. And that was going fast! I'll have to work on getting that down to a minute. I only stopped my watch twice--once for the first bathroom break and once while I was at the car swapping fuel belts, cause I didn't it would take as long on marathon day with SD to help me.
At the final three miles, I was really tired, but I wouldn't give in! In fact, for the final mile I went out of my way to run up a hill--my own little Lake Merced. It's hard to train for the elevations of San Francisco when you live on the prairie, but during my training runs I would seek out hills whenever I could. The Garmin time for this run was 4:06:36, and the real time was 4:12:12, which means I spent 6 minutes and 12 seconds in the bathroom and swapping fuel belts at the truck. The overall pace was 12:19mm, but maybe after I taper it will improve. I was running fast, but the walking breaks really slowed my overall pace down. As did the traffic lights. Sigh.
Anyway, it's time to taper! I am so looking forward to that. I'm quite frankly, sick of training. It's that 5 days a week that I don't like. It wasn't so bad in the beginning, but in my 50 mile weeks, I'd have two 5 mile runs, two 10 mile runs, and then a 20 miler. That doesn't look so bad, until you put it in hours -- over twelve hours of running. That's like a part-time job. :-) That's the drawback to being a back of the pack runner.
I'll stop by your blogs and see what you've been up to.
posted by Dori @ 1:05 PM
12 Comments:
Way to go, Dorine! You're one disciplined woman!!!
I'm concerned about being a back-of-the-packer at Chicago marathon this weekend. Your blog entry gave me encouragement. I'll work on that positive attitude. Hopefully that will carry me through.
I hope to see you tomorrow night at our pasta feed. Keep on running, girl! Enjoy your taper!
You are amazing! That is some kind of training. I'm running Portland for time, SF for fun - no time worries.
By the way - Eric won't be with me in SF - this is a girls only road trip! He's planning a big trail run for that day.
See you soon!
Three 20 mile runs is awesome. You sound very ready for this marathon!
Great account of your 20 mile training run. Parking in the middle and running 10 miles in each direction works!
Best wishes for your Marathon.
You are ready for sure.. So much happening in your life. No suprise you have been so quiet. Don't worry about the time! You rock.
Wow, three 20 milers huh? You are going to do so great!
Sounds like you had an awesome training run. You were so well prepared.I can't wait to hear how your marathon goes!
Enjoy the taper! I know I will :)
So how did you get part time work running? Who do I speak to about getting the same?
Seriously, that's some training regimen. Three twenties. Wow.
A positve outlook ensures a positive outcome. I'm gonna remember that bit of wisdom!
Great job Dori! I'm totally impresssed. and with no tunes either! and BY YOURSELF! you're a machine!
Dori,
It was good to see you last night. Thanks for telling me how to respond (I guess I didn't take the time to figure it out). Good luck with the race. You have always been an inspiration to me and continue to be. Go, Dori. Your friend, Kathy
Great job Dori!
Congratulations on a remarkable training season.
Enjoy your taper!
I so can't wait to read about this race...I so want to run this one. In fact, this one was supposed to be one I did this year...sigh...I hope if not next year, the year after! Promise to post a picture of the Tiffany's pendant you get! (and pictures of cute boys in tuxes handing them out!)
Enjoy your taper. You've earned it.
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