Monday, October 27, 2008

Weekly Wrap-Up

I had a very busy and wonderful week. You know what that means. LISTS & PICTURES! WOO-HOO!!!

• Monday night - A great 7 miler (1:00:37/8:40 pace).

Another fast time and I think the faster runs are really helping me during my longer runs (duh). It only took me 2.5 years to figure out what everyone else already knows.

• Tuesday - A new job which so far, I love.

• Tuesday night - Temple Football

A former student of J's works for Ohio University and they played Temple. So we went to a game at Lincoln Financial Field (where the Eagles play) as a guest on the sidelines - but on the OU side. We met some old friends there and had a great time (even though it was REALLY cold).

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We even got to go into the press room, get free food and hang out in the press box while Ohio Radio was covering the game.

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Unfortunately, being on the Ohio side meant we didn't get to meet Bill Cosby when he came onto the sidelines at the start of the game on the TEMPLE side. Sigh. Story of my life. Here is Dr Huxtable on the Jumbotron.

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• Friday evening - nice, easy 6.2 mile run (59:59/9:40 pace)

• Saturday morning - laziness.

I did something I have never done in all my time in training - I skipped a long run. It was pretty bad. I was dressed and out the door when J just looked at me and handed me the key. My heart and head wasn't into it so I just turned around and went back inside.

How pathetic is that? I'm not sure if it was the fact I ran 6 miles the day before or the fact that it was cold and raining out (probably both), but I just wasn't having it. I decided to get the 16 miles in alone on Sunday morning.

So J ran it by himself and he ran it pretty fast. Last time we ran 16 miles we ran it at a 10 minute pace and he gave me grief for running too fast. He ran it by himself on Saturday at a 9:11 pace, so I think he realized it wasn't all me. He came back and said,

"I guess we are in better shape than we thought."

You think?

• Saturday night - Phillies and New Jersey!

We drove out to New Jersey to have dinner and watch the games (Phillies and Buckeyes) at our friend's house. We had a great time but I was holding back on the fun since I knew I had to run in the morning. Plus, the Buckeyes lost and the Phillie's game was delayed so we didn't even get to watch that since we had to head back for our hour-long drive home. Oh well.

Here is a picture I got of Game 3 as we drove by the stadium on the way home. Crystal clear! LOL!
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• Sunday morning - 16 miles

I was a bit worried about the weather when I walked out my front door and saw this:

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But it quickly cleared up and the weather ended up being perfect, sunny and in the mid 40's!

I was also a little concerned about running 16 miles alone. I have never run more than 9 miles by myself, ever. But I figured it would be a good way to focus on my own running and not worry about someone else's pace. I decided to try and see if I could shave some time off my last 16 miler (2:38/10:00 pace) which felt really good. I knew after last week's 14 mile run I was capable of doing it but after chili and beer the night before, wasn't sure how I would feel.

But as usual, beer and protein proved to be my buddies and I had a great run. I felt strong the entire run and surprisingly wasn't bored out there for over 2 hours alone. I even left my ipod at home and enjoyed the beauty and quiet of a wonderful fall morning in Philly. Jeremy even showed up on his bike the last 2 miles to ride in with me which I thought was really sweet. :)

It must have helped because I smoked my last 16 mile time. I ran it in 2:25:52/9:14 pace.

And I felt great at the end. I probably couldn't keep that pace up for another 10 miles, but I do think that J and I are going to sit down and readjust our game-plan for the marathon. I don't want to sell ourselves short. A 10 minute mile pace just doesn't seem logical anymore and will probably end up being our Plan C. I think we may try for closer to a 9:30-9:40 pace. Our true test will be next weekend during our last 20 miler. I can't believe the marathon is so close now! It has flown by!

• Sunday afternoon - The zoo, Philly sports and beer.

We met with some friends who were taking their girls to the zoo. It was our first time at the Philadelphia Zoo (the first zoo in the country, btw) and we had a lot of fun. Later, we found a new bar by our house and drank a few beers and watched some Philadelphia teams kick butt.

ONE MORE GAME PHILLIES!!!

Here are some of our new friends from the zoo.

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Yes, the turtles are doing what you think they are doing.

Monday, 10/20 - 7 miles/1:00:37 - 8:40 pace
Tuesday, 10/21 - off
Wednesday, 10/22 - off
Thursday, 10/23 - off
Friday, 10/24 - 6.2 miles/59:59 - 9:40 pace
Saturday, 10/25 - off
Sunday, 10/26 - 15.72/2:25:52 - 9:14 pace.

Total Weekly Mileage: 28.92 (RUN)
Total Weekly Mileage: 0 (BIKE)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your runs have been amazing. All the training has really paid off. Awesome job on running the 16 alone and at a great pace too. I think it is smart for you guys to adjust your game plan.

Wonderful pictures as always.

Marcy said...

You ARE getting so much speedier! WHOOO HOOOO!!! I have a feeling you're going to be kicking this marathon's butt!! YAY!!

Unknown said...

Wow, what a great pace! You guys are going to do fantastic in your race I'm sure! Enjoy the last bit of your training...this is always the fun part because you KNOW you can do it and do it well!

BeachRunner said...

Awesome runs. You are kicking butt! J joining you for the last two miles on his bike is heartwarming. Sheesh.

And could the female turtle at least fake it and pretend to be interested.

Unknown said...

Naughty turtles in Philly!!! It is obviously that they both are quite horny. Bet they let out a long groan !

Keep up the GREAT job on pacing !!! Believe it or not, I am getting the anxiety already about the Philadelphia marathon.

Great pixs !!!!

Unknown said...

Great pics. Nice runs also! I'm still laughing about the turtle picture. I don't think I can really be any more immature.

joyRuN said...

Your photos really are amazing!

Maybe one day I'll find out what it's like to have an easy long run. I'll need to learn to run faster first though :)

Great job on awesome runs!!

ONE MORE GAME!!!!!

Aron said...

AWESOME job on the runs!! esp that 16 miler!!

i love your pics :) i could just look at them all day!

SuperDave said...

Dang girl, you are so freakin fast!
Your Friday 10 easy run is my " I can't take it anymore, * vomit* run!
You continue to amaze with your beautiful photography. I think that male turtle is yelling "HAG!" at his wife. haha
What a great 16 miler! and your paced matched the hubby!

Casey said...

Nice photos! That's a shame about Bill Cosby. If you would have met him, you probably would have said something about Jell-o Puddin' Pops and that was just *so* 1987. It's best you didn't meet; you saved yourself an awkward moment. ;)

Sonia said...

SSERIOUSLY?????????? 9:XX min/mile for a 16 miler?????????? YOU ARE FREAKIN FAST LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am totally jealous BTW LOL

Thanks for the suppport, I do need it...

Christie said...

You had a great running week. I can't wait to hear about your 20miler.

Jolene said...

Hey! You run at quite a clip!!! Congratulations on the speed! I'm jealous! Can you please tell me/us how you gradually built up to it?! As I start over again, I hope to be faster than my usual 10 min. mile pace!

Runner Leana said...

Those turtles....hilarious!

Those are some speedy runs!

N.D. said...

So your long runs are doing awesome!! The speed is great. Sounds like a fun weekend! Bill got his MBA at temple, so he cheers for them when they are on! Seems like a good place to work, glad it is going well!

P.O.M. said...

That sounds like a great run. I dno't mind running long distance by myself. I grew to like it. But I need my music, for sure.

Did you really just post some hot turtle luvin' on your page? ha ha. So funny!

Chic Runner said...

You are too cute! I just stumbled across yoru blog and I love it :) Congrats to philly too.. :) That weekend sounds like a tons os fun stuff!!! I'm super jealous!

Maggs said...

Hi, saw you comment on FLs blog.

I do have a very flexible job (carry my cell phone with me everywhere and I'm at work) and a boyfriend who's a cyclist and became a runner when I was training. I definately had it easy on the work and relationship end :-)

 
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