The Drizzt Diary

gosh, i am at the point where going out for 5 or 6 miles is a quick run. i slept in this morning so had to be finished running by 9am  due to the heat.  warmed up at 10 min pace for one mile then cruised on.  my hips were very tight  yesterday after my 15 mile run the day before.  they were ok today but i learned something–my hips didn’t get tight if i was striking with the middle of my foot instead of the heel first.  also, if i lift my leg a bit higher at the end of the stride as i follow through, the hip seemed to be happier.  some days i want to play the tinman and have my ball and socket oiled!!! i will play around with this stride some more on saturday when i meet with the group and ask some questions about form.  if anyone reads this blog and has some insight–feel free.  i’m all eyes!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/31/2008
• Time: 08:00:00
• Total Time: 00:48:20.00
• Distance: 5.5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:47.09/mile

my 1/2 marathon is in less than three weeks.  i have been trying to run at the actual time the race will be held–7am to 9am.  today was darn humid and bloody hot.  i looked like i just got out of the swimming pool when i was finished.  the sunscreen was dripping in my eyes (note to self–have a change of headband)  i even had a head wind for 4 miles.  included my hill work in this long run so spent 4 miles going uphill.  my reward this evening will be margaritas, mexican food and music–with my lovely daughter being the chef (not the bartender though!!lol)

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/29/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 2:20:00.00
• Distance: 15.2 miles
• Average Pace: 9:13/mile

started slow this morning because i had a long run planned. after my drink and peppermint hard candy at mile 8 i took off and felt WEIRD. light headed but not dizzy. felt like i was floating. vision seemed to be swimming. rested for a few more minutes and tried again. it was a no go. i prepared for the run as usual this morning and last night. don’t know. guess i will give it a go on saturday–

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/24/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:17:00.00
• Distance: 8 miles
• Average Pace: 9:37.85/mile

ran my favorite hill–1.2 up and 1.2 down.  did the 4 and 1’s and really tried to keep my uphill pace at 8:30.  hips were giving me some issues (they get tight) but all i had to do was ‘finish 4′ and then i could rest them.  had a little breeze today on the uphill which was nice because i was sweating bullets–50 caliber size.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/22/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:02:45.00
• Distance: 7.2 miles
• Average Pace: 8:43.26/mile

started out with a 10 min pace for one mile.  Worked up to an 8 min pace and kept it for two miles then did four 7:30 min pace half miles with one minute walk break in between.  had to run on the treadmill due to the lateness of the work out (if you don’t get out by 7am then you don’t get out).  set the incline up a couple of notches.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/21/2008
• Distance: 5.5 miles

first long run in almost 5 weeks–i ran 16 miles before leaving on holiday–was gone for two weeks then took two weeks to pull myself up to pre-holiday levels. running with the group we always do the 4 and 1’s.  afterwards i went for a massage–the therapist i had was awesome.  she worked my back, hips and legs–it was wonderful.  i am tired so am obviously a little behind my pre-holiday fitness.  but that will come.  no hurry in this heat!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/19/2008
• Time: 08:46:56
• Total Time: 2:47:00.00
• Distance: 16.5 miles
• Average Pace: 10:07.08/mile

group run today was 6 one mile repeats.  it was humid as hell–actually, isn’t hell hot and dry?  who knows.  i remember my first mile was 8:20, then 7:55, then 8:10 then 8:05.  i don’tremember the last two. i do know that with the heat, my times are a good 30 seconds slower.  but somewhere i heard that you should slow down 30 seconds per mile for every 5 degrees over 60.  gosh, you would be walking when it is 85-90!! i must have heard it wrong.  anyway, the one lap walk in between was great–we all chatted about our week.  i was hoping the sprinklers would come on the football field again!!!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/19/2008
• Time: 06:30:00
• Distance: 6 miles

ran at my ‘race time’ which is 7am–it got a little warm around 8am (i am usually finished by 8). did the 4 and 1’s which really helped in the heat.  i will need more hydration.  man, it really pours out of you.  afterwards i jumped in the pool with my running clothes on and floated around to get the heat off.  nothing sucks more than thinking you are cooled off, taking a shower, and getting out still sweating as you are drying off.  maybe that is why they only take cold showers in the amazon–no one has hot water for bathing.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/17/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:13:20.00
• Distance: 8.5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:37.99/mile

Tuesdays are my hill days but life got in the way this morning–between kids and work I couldn’t do my 6:00am run. It was 100 degrees by the time I could work out so I had to do it inside.  Really pumped up the incline; pumped up the speed; pumped up the volume.  Didn’t keep time.  Just worked until I was finished.  And enjoyed every second.  My half marathon is in one month–it is called the Hottest Half for a reason.  Starting tomorrow I will run at 7am which is the start time for the race.  That will put me in the correct temperature and humidity factor–ugh, but that is South Texas.  At least there is no wind in the summer.  Hasta luego.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/15/2008
• Distance: 7.2 miles

our group met this morning for speed work.  i just went to do a short run at the track and listen to this guy who runs ultras talk about mental prep for long distance running.  texas has a ’series’ of ultras all 50 miles in distance–i didn’t know that–guess they aren’t advertised too heavily.  anyway, i enjoyed the talk and enjoyed the run because the sprinklers were going off and every 1/4 mile you got a shower!!!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/12/2008
• Time: 06:00:00
• Total Time: 00:36:24.00
• Distance: 4 miles
• Average Pace: 9:06.28/mile