Running Around

Missoula Marathon.

Awesome race- organizers did a fabulous job.

I started out right on pace 7:00-7:05. Ran with 2 girls until about mile 13. I took some Gu and water and/or gatorade at mile 13 and ended up with another side ache. I could feel it coming on so I did everything I could to stop it, but the tricks didn't work. Luckily we hit the hill at the same time so I slowed down my pace and fought it off with another round of tricks. This time worked. Couple girls passed me, but  stayed patient.

My watch died at mile 14 so I just had to run on feel, which in the later miles I have found is harder than it seems. I stayed patient and passed a few girls around mile 18.  The 3:10 pace pacers (no people in the group) caught up to me so I ran with them the rest of the way- just ahead.  Looking at the race results, my last 15k spilts were around 7:20.

I didn't place top 3, which was my original goal or at my goal pace (7:05), but for my first marathon with training (I ran 2 about 5 years ago with no idea what I was doing) I was pleased. It hurt more than I thought it would when I finished- my legs were trashed.

Today my muscles are just a little sore, but my joints- specifically my hips- are on fire.  Never hurt there before...

Our hotel had a pool outside, so when I got back the hubby and girls were swimming (girls are little fish) so I took off my shoes and jumped in. Cold water felt really good and they had a hot tub so I was alternating between the cold water and jets.

Now a few days of resting/cycling and then half this weekend and next. Half is so much easier than a full!!!

11 miles biking. Nice and easy recovery.

18.5 miles biking. Legs feeling better. Should be ready for race this weekend.

18 miles on my bike

5 very easy mile on the cc course. Identified my sore spots! Sat in the river after. Hit the foam roller tonight. 2 days to recover as much as possible.

REst

Heise Half.

Tried my best to rest my legs as much as possible this week after the Missoula race.

My quads were still pretty tight so I wasn't expecting to run this race very well. The other 2 top runners in the area were singed up so I figured I was going to get 2nd or 3rd. (one has a marathon this weekend so I knew she was going to hold back a little).

First couple of miles are gradual downhill so I took it very easy.  A few girls took off.  Legs were sore right off the bat. When the course flattened out I caught two and then took the last one at mile 4 on the uphill. Hill actually felt good on my legs.

I kept thinking my rivals were right on my tail so that kept me focused. I stayed relaxed and ran better than I thought I would. 2 minutes slower than last year, but 5 days after a marathon, I'll take it!