Monday, September 7, 2009

Running filled Weekend

Happy Labor Day! Hopefully everyone had a enjoyable and relaxing holiday weekend! I packed the weekend full of running! I have to say it all seemed like a good idea at the time 5 weeks ago...

First up Saturday the first 20 mile training run of this cycle. I was tired, more so than usual, and took the run slow, as it should be done. It was tough, mentally and physically, but luckily the 2nd 10 miles seemed a little better than the first 10. Plus, Jacob met me on the path for the last 2 so that was a nice boost at the end. Saturday's 20 brought my weekly total to 55 miles last week! That is the highest weekly mileage I have ever done!!! Such an awesome feeling to get through that mileage and keep up my regular life :)

Sunday was a rest day at our friends house. We had ourselves a nice little Labor Day cookout. I wasn't that sore from Saturday (yay!) which was a relief because I had myself the Oak Brook half marathon bright and early Monday morning! Although because of the cookout and eating at a random time I didn't have the best pre-race fueling and was starving by the time we returned home. It could have been a lot worse.

I decided to run this half as Pftiz calls for a race later in the week. However, we have tickets to the BMW golf championship next weekend and I couldn't make the Chicago half fit in the schedule along with the tournament. I had my concerns running a half 2 days after a 20 mile training run but just decided to alter my race plan. Instead of racing all out I thought I would take it marathon race pace or slower for the first 5 miles, pick it up slightly the 2nd 4 miles, and race the last 4 miles. It didn't quite happen that way but whatever. I really suck at pacing myself...

The course was a mixture of streets but mostly bike path and crushed gravel paths. The first 3 miles were a cluster (as they usually are). It seemed a bit worse since there was a huge bottleneck as we merged from highway running to onto a bike path through the preserves. The path could fit 3 across and only in some parts. So I was either stuck behind someone or I had a lot of quick passing when the bushes and trees thinned then trying to find race pace again. It was a tough start. Thankfully it started to thin by mile 4. Between 3-4 there was a wooden bridge over a creek that was swaying back and forth as all the runners crossed; it seriously felt like it was going down! My legs felt funny after that bridge and a second around mile 5.5. Then there were the hills that I was so not prepared to run. Ouch! Who knew Oak Brook, IL had mad hills... not me! Luckily I wasn't expecting much from this race other than to get used to "racing" while tired.

Here are my mile splits according to garmy:
mile 1: 9:26
mile 2: 9:06
mile 3: 9:17
mile 4: 9:03
mile 5: 8:56
mile 6: 8:37 - Ridiculous hill at the beginning of 6 that I surged. We were told at 6.5 "It's all downhill from here"
mile 7: 8:57 - crazy hills! Downhill my ass (hurts!)
mile 8: 9:14 - even worse hills and steep declines (quad shredders)
mile 9: 8:53
mile 10: 8:49
mile 11: 8:44
mile 12: 8:38
mile 13: 8:27
last .1 - 7:24
action shot! Jacob caught me right before the finish. and yeah, I just chicked 3 guys!

No PR today but that's okay. I am really happy with my 1:56 (and change) run with minimal soreness. I passed a lot of people the last 5 miles of the race and that felt great! Also, the last half I ran was 2 1/2 years ago, on a flat, fast course with temps in the 50's. Tough to beat younger, flat (with a nice tailwind), and no humidity! In the past I never would have been able to follow up such 50+ mileage week with a sub-2 hour half marathon. I'm really proud and happy with how it all turned out today.

cheers!
The race wouldn't be complete without the post race brew in hand :) It's five o'clock somewhere, right?

16 comments:

runner26 said...

awesome! congrats on running a great race! and i can tell you--I do know about the hills in oak brook ;) so nice job!! enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Mark said...

Wow, Jamie! That has to be very encouraging to run that well right on the heels of a 20 miler! Just and awesome week of running! Congrats on the 55! That's big! Great pics, too!

RunToTheFinish said...

way to go on a race the day after your 20 miler, you rockstar!!

kilax said...

I forgot the Oak Brook Half was today! You did a great job! I love the photos :)

And great job on the 20 miler on Saturday. Wow! 55! You rock! I hope you get to rest a bit this week :)

Anonymous said...

You ran an awesome half! Way to nail the 20 miler too. You are going to be so ready for the marathon.

Marlene said...

You SHOULD be proud! Holy crap, you pulled that off 2 days after a 20 miler? Good for you!!

You've been running SO STRONG!

J said...

What a weekend for you! Crazy - a 20 miler and a half marathon! You rock! great job!

Bill Carter said...

Hi Jamie

Wow, you have really cranked up the mileage. And that is no small feat considering all the travelling.

Great job on the 1/2 IMMEDIATELY after a 20 miler.

That term "chicked" still cracks me up and good for you!

X-Country2 said...

Dang girl. That's a heck of a weekend! You're going to rock that marathon.

Kelly said...

Jeeze - 1:56 AFTER 20miles a day before?! You are a machine! NO way could I pull that right now. You are amazing. That is a huge week! And I love that you chicked some guys at the very end. Very cool.

Jeri said...

seriously? you're unreal! who does a 1/2 following a 20 miler?!?!? crazy people that's who. And you still had an awesome time! Way to go. And a weekly mileage PR too!!! :)

Tara said...

Good grief woman; you ran a half marathon two days after a 20 mile training run?!??? You are my new hero!!! Congrats! That is way cool!

MCM Mama said...

Wow, you ran that half marathon faster than my HM pr and you did it two days after a 20 mile run! I'm impressed!

Aron said...

wooooo CONGRATS!!! on both the 55 mile week and on the half! i was trying to figure that out on FB - the half after the 55 mile week... it was CLOSE! you still did great :) keep up the awesome training!

Jess said...

Wow what an awesome weekend! Congrats on the high mileage week, the 20 miler and the follow up half with a kick ass time! You rock!

kristen said...

Wow girl, you turned out awesome splits just day after a 20 miler. That's serioulsy aweseom. Congratulations on the 55 mile week too. Sounds liek your body is handling it just fine :)