Taking Time to Stop

I was a bit worried about the 8 mile run today.  It is the furthest I have run in a very long time and I wasn’t quite sure how my legs would hold up.  Luckily, I did pretty well!  My average pace didn’t drop too much (according to my Nike+) and I felt good throughout the run.  The legs are a little sore now, but they definitely held up along the way.

I was running along the Green Circle Trail (a 24 mile trail in Stevens Point & Plover) and was able to see some new parts of it because of the longer run.  While in one wooded area, a deer jumped out onto the trail and stared at me.  I stopped and we looked at each other for about a minute.  Then she huffed loudly and ran away.  And I continued on the run.  What is nice about the trail is that it is mostly mulched – so it’s easier on the feet and knees.  I get to “rest” the next two days and begin again on Monday.  1 week down – 10 more to go!

 

Friday’s Run: 8 miles/1:18:45/9:49 avg min/mi

Training Log: Tuesday

I didn’t run in the morning today like I usually do.  Instead I was up at 3:15am to go to a fund raiser for our youth group’s trip to New Orleans next summer for the Youth Gathering.  I ran this afternoon after I took an hour and a half nap.  Afternoon runs have a very different feel to them than running in the morning.  I’m not sure what it is.  I prefer morning.  Maybe it’s because there’s stuff in my stomach.  Luckily, today was a short run, so it was all good.

2.0 miles/18:43/avg pace 9:18 min/mi

Half Marathon

 

I was at an ice-cream stand in town on Saturday and saw a poster for a half-marathon run in August.  I’ve decided that I am going to attempt it.  I’ve been running consistently for the past few weeks – but not nearly far enough.  So this will be quite a stretch for me.  I have 11 weeks to train.  I am using Nike+Coach – a feature with my Nike+ set up for my iPod.  It looks doable, but will push me right off the bat.  Today is my last day to enjoy not training.  Tomorrow it all begins.  I’ll keep updates coming as they happen.  Wish me luck.  Anybody with this kind of racing experience want to give me some advice?

Monday Run: 5.01 miles/46:42/9:19 pace